Operational Safety Standards Manager

Position Overview

The Operational Safety Standards Manager is responsible for providing, maintaining, implementing and complying with operational safety standards and international best practice within the Mobility Passenger Operations organization. Ensuring all safety critical activities and systems are effectively managed so operational safety risk is as low as reasonably practicable. Mentoring line managers and supervisors to promote an organisational safety culture that puts safety at the foundation of everything we do. Manage the timely delivery and successful implementation of train driving and train controller related regulations, technical specifications and procedures for the safe operation of the Etihad Rail assets. Make sure the Etihad Rail Mobility; Train Operations staff, Operations Control Centre staff, Service Delivery staff and other Safety Critical staff fulfil their environment health and safety management system obligations.

Roles and Responsibility

• Develop and maintain the operational safety element of the safety management system and ensure it is fully implemented to meet the continued needs of the business.
• Make sure all train operations related accidents are investigated for the purpose of identifying root cause and developing, communicating and monitoring implementation of effective rectification actions (SMART)and are closed within one month of occurrence.
• Perform on call duties and respond to operational safety incidents as the Lead investigator for Mobility Operational incidents and support for other incidents. Ensure the timely reporting of all statutory notifiable occurrences.
• Provide technical guidance and support on all train operations safety related matters to the Etihad Rail Mobility and when requested, represent Etihad Rail Mobility on formal accident investigation panels.
• Support production and maintenance of and compliance with the operations safety case and safety permit.
• Perform periodic reviews for local and international changes and developments in railway safety regulation, standards, technological specifications, research or lessons learned. Advise the organization and update the operational safety management system as required.
• Contribute railway safety regulations, technical specifications and other operational safety requirements to the legal and other requirements register.
• Support the development, implementation and monitoring of operational safety leading and lagging Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s).
• Provide technical guidance and support to line managers and supervisors in the production and implementation of risk assessments, processes, procedures and safe systems of work to ensure that risks are controlled as low as reasonably practicable.
• Manage and maintain operational hazard logs, risk assessment and other risk management activities to ensure they remain suitable and sufficient and support the CSMREA Workshops in preparation for safety certificate submission to the ISA for the approval of the regulator.
• Support line management and supervisors to ensure change is effectively and safely managed to minimize risk.
• Carry out periodic site inspections in accordance with compliance requirements, making sure they are conducted in and out of normal office hours, announced and unannounced, including the environment and the working conditions of staff.
• Ensure the competence of safety critical personnel is being maintained as per company’s competence management system requirements.
• Develop and deliver operational safety briefings, alerts, bulletins and lessons learnt advisories as and when required or at a frequency in line with the Etihad Rail Mobility EHSMS requirements.
• Compile periodic operational safety performance reports as per reporting requirements.
• Contribute to the development and where relevant, implementation of the annual HSEQ plan and annual HSEQ report in accordance with mandated requirements and timescales.
• Design, determine and publish inspection, train and control operations standards, instructions and company rules for Etihad Rail Mobility. Set operations staff competency standards and monitor compliance.
• Development and maintenance of the Etihad Rail Mobility competence management system database.
• Oversee the installation and then manage and maintain for on-going risk control and mitigation, the safe operational aspects of the ETCS train control (cab signaling) system.
• Responsible for managing those elements of the Etihad Rail Mobility EHSMS allocated to the function in the company safety permit/certificate.
• Analyse implications of changes to rules and legislation and amend company instructions and rules to ensure compliance.
• Create and deliver annual safety improvement plans based on analysis of the Etihad Rail Mobility company risk profile incorporating development of Etihad Rail Mobility safety culture.
• Determination of industry benchmarking levels for Etihad Rail Mobility.
• Carry out operational, safety, quality and environment audits at the frequency set out in the Etihad Rail Mobility audit manual and as directed by the Etihad Rail Mobility Operations Director or HSEQ Director Interface management with Etihad Rail Mobility contractors for activities carried out by train operations.
• Produce detailed reports at a frequency and content directed by the Etihad Rail Mobility Operations Director or HSEQ Director.
• Undertake continuing professional development (CDP) to ensure knowledge remains current and relevant.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Educated to a high standard with academic risk and safety achievements.
• Lead Rail Accident Investigator trained.
• NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent is desirable.
• Risk management qualification is desirable.
• ISO 45001 or ISO 9001 Internal Auditor certifications is desirable.

Professional Qualifications:

• Professional membership in health and safety, risk, or engineering is desirable.
• Assessor qualification is desirable.
• Full driving license is essential.

Experience:

• Demonstrable experience of operational railway safety, incident investigation, human factors and non-technical skills.
• 10 years working in a passenger railway operation is essential and experience working under ETCS systems is desirable.
• Experienced in Passenger services in train high speed and tram are desirable.
• Possession of previous international experience in the rail sector.
• Experience in delivering safety objectives within a complex rail organization.
• Knowledge of international railway safety regulations, standards and technical specifications.
• Experience in writing complex reports, processes and procedures.
• Tram and High-Speed Mass Transit experience is desirable.
• Experience in SODT and Trial Operations during rolling stock testing and commissioning phases is desirable.
• Large infrastructure project delivery experience including station operational handover experience is desirable.

Other Skills:

• Excellent communication skills are necessary in all forms with a proven ability to speak publicly and present in a professional manner.
• Excellent English language skill both written and verbal. Knowledge of Arabic is preferable.
• Able to manage cultural diversity in the workplace and recognize the sensitivities between different cultures.
• Adaptability and resilience to work in a harsh environment with most of the time being employed in desert locations.
• Be a person of trust and integrity and a people person who possesses the ability to influence, coach and mentor others. Be a safety role model and lead by example.