Health and Safety Officer

Role overview

ACS Drives & Control Systems Ltd. is looking for an experienced Health & Safety professional to take ownership of the practical development and ongoing improvement of occupational health and safety across the business. The position is based in Mullingar, County Westmeath, with site visits to customers as needed. The role reports to the Director responsible for Occupational Health & Safety and works alongside directors, managers, the service department, the project workshop team, engineers, apprentices and contractors.

This is a hands-on opportunity in a real engineering setting. ACS supports Irish industry through variable speed drives, motor control, power quality, condition-based monitoring, electrical panel builds, commissioning, maintenance, diagnostics, lifecycle support and 24/7 technical service. The organisation is seeking someone who can bring practical know-how, initiative and sound judgement to improve safe systems of work, strengthen consistency and encourage positive safety behaviour across the workshop, office, fleet, contractor activity and customer-site work.

The person in this role will have real input into how the company builds its safety systems, records, controls, communication and day-to-day safety culture. ISO 45001 is part of the wider picture, but the immediate focus is on making safety more visible, practical and effective for the people delivering engineering services.

Working pattern and role details

This role starts on a 3 to 4 day per week basis, with the possibility of moving to full-time by mutual agreement. A permanent or contract arrangement may be considered. Salary is dependent on experience and will be pro-rata for the agreed working pattern. The job also includes mileage and approved travel expenses. The reference ID is HSO 260703.

Key responsibilities

You will lead the development, rollout and upkeep of the company’s occupational health and safety system, including the Safety Statement, risk assessments, RAMS, method statements, safe systems of work and related OHS procedures. You will help directors and managers understand their responsibilities and support readiness for ISO 45001 once the foundations are in place.

The role also covers practical safety controls across the workshop, test area, panel build activities, customer sites, fleet, tools, lifting equipment, electrical work, contractors and the general workplace. You will review workshop standards, PPE provision, housekeeping, access routes and safe working methods, and help develop and review Lockout/Tagout procedures, toolbox talks and the chemical register. Unsafe practices will need to be addressed constructively, with serious risks escalated where necessary.

In addition, you will carry out inspections, audits, spot checks and follow-up reviews; keep OHS records, registers, training matrices, inspection logs and corrective-action trackers up to date; and monitor statutory inspection requirements such as fire checks, first aid, emergency lighting, fire alarm tests, drills, RCD/electrical checks, PAT, lifting equipment and other recurring controls. You will also support the closure of health and safety corrective actions.

Another key area is contractor and customer-site control. This includes building and maintaining an Approved Contractor Register, reviewing contractor safety documentation, insurance, training evidence, RAMS and site requirements, and signing off RAMS or method statements for contractor work carried out on behalf of ACS. You will also help strengthen OHS controls for work done at customer premises.

The role further involves accident, incident, near-miss and unsafe-condition reporting, investigation and follow-up; identifying training needs across the business; supporting inductions, toolbox talks, site rules and practical safety communication; and working with external auditors, consultants and training providers when required. As the position develops, there may also be scope to support environmental management within the wider ISO system.

About you

The ideal candidate is a confident, practical Health and Safety professional with experience in an engineering, industrial or technical services environment. You should have a recognised occupational health and safety qualification suitable for officer-level work, with at least NFQ Level 7 or an equivalent professional OHS qualification. You must also have the competence, qualification and experience needed to advise ACS on practical occupational health and safety matters.

Relevant background in engineering, electrical, manufacturing, industrial services, utilities, construction or technical service work is required, along with a strong understanding of Irish occupational health and safety legislation. You should be comfortable with risk assessments, RAMS, contractor control, inspections, training records and corrective actions, and ideally have experience with OHS management systems, ISO 45001 or external audit preparation.

The company is looking for someone who can challenge unsafe behaviour in a professional and constructive way, while also bringing strong organisational, documentation and follow-through skills. A full, clean driving licence valid in Ireland and the EU is essential. Experience with electrical safety, contractor management, arc flash awareness, Lockout/Tagout, ISO 14001 or integrated management systems would be an advantage.

Benefits and perks

ACS offers a competitive package that includes a competitive salary, pro-rata pay based on the agreed 3 to 4 day schedule, mileage and approved travel expenses, training support, ISO implementation support, a supportive and family-friendly workplace, career development opportunities, and the chance to grow into a wider OHS / ISO management role over time.

Equal opportunities

ACS Drives & Control Systems Ltd. is committed to equal opportunity hiring. Applications are welcome from suitably qualified candidates and will be assessed on skills, qualifications, experience, capability and fit for the role. Reasonable accommodations can be discussed during recruitment if needed.

Additional information

Location: ACS Drives, Mullingar, County Westmeath, with customer-site visits as required.

Reporting line: Director responsible for Occupational Health & Safety.

Working relationships: Directors, Management Team, Service Department, Project Workshop Team, Engineers, Apprentices and Contractors.

Contract type: Permanent or contract arrangement considered.

Reference ID: HSO 260703.

The role may expand into environmental management responsibilities within the broader ISO system as the position develops.

The ideal candidate will help build a safer, stronger system for the people who support Ireland’s industry.

Terms and conditions

Salary is dependent on experience. The role starts on a 3 to 4 day weekly pattern and may move to full-time by agreement. The working arrangement is pro-rata. Mileage and approved travel expenses are included, and the position involves customer-site travel as needed.