Controller of Site Safety (COSS)

Controller of Site Safety (COSS)

Advanced Power Services Ltd
Location: South East and Whole of UK
Employment: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience. Enhanced rates apply for night shifts, weekends and working away.
Hours: Railway working hours – including nights, weekends and working away when required

About the Role

Advanced Power Services Ltd is looking to recruit an experienced Controller of Site Safety (COSS) to join our Rail team.

Advanced Power Services is a specialist High Voltage Electrical Contractor undertaking electrical infrastructure works across the rail network. We are looking for an experienced and safety focused COSS who can support our site teams and ensure works on or near the operational railway are undertaken safely and in accordance with Network Rail requirements.

This is a hands-on, site based role and will involve supporting our HV teams during planned works, possessions, line blockages and other rail activities. Although COSS duties will form the primary function of the role, the successful candidate will also be required to support other areas of the business when railway work is quieter. This may include representing Advanced Power Services on client sites and providing practical support to our HV jointing, testing and engineering teams on non-rail projects. The role therefore requires flexibility to travel throughout the UK and work away from home when required.

Key Responsibilities

As a COSS, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe system of work for the work group and ensuring that planned arrangements are properly understood and followed.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Liaising with and supporting the Safe System of Work Planner by providing the necessary site, access and safety information required to plan the works, including assisting with the planning and booking of line blockages and other protection arrangements, to enable the preparation of Safe Work Packs and associated site safety documentation.
• Reviewing Safe Work Packs in advance of planned works and accepting or rejecting arrangements as appropriate.
• Briefing work groups on the Safe Work Pack, site arrangements, risks and controls before work commences.
• Checking that personnel hold the necessary and valid Sentinel, track safety and task competencies.
• Establishing and maintaining the planned track protection and warning arrangements.
• Liaising with Engineering Supervisors, site management and other relevant railway personnel throughout the works.
• Carrying out point of work and dynamic risk assessments and responding appropriately to changing site conditions.
• Ensuring safe systems of work are maintained throughout the shift.
• Supporting the safe delivery of HV feeder and electrical works.
• Ensuring personnel, materials, plant and equipment are clear of the railway following completion of works.
• Handing back worksites to the Engineering Supervisor where applicable.
• Maintaining accurate site, safety and work records.
• Reporting defects, unsafe conditions, incidents, near misses or deviations from planned arrangements.
• Delivering site and safety briefings to operatives.
• Challenging unsafe behaviours and stopping work where conditions become unsafe.
• Supporting the wider site team with the safe and efficient delivery of railway works.

What We Are Looking For

The successful candidate should have:

• Current and valid COSS competency.
• A minimum of 2 years' railway experience.
• Previous experience working as a COSS or in a similar safety-critical railway role.
• A good understanding of Network Rail standards, Rule Book requirements and Safe Work Packs.
• Experience and understanding of track protection and warning arrangements.
• The ability to read, understand and implement Safe Work Packs and associated site drawings.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to brief and manage work groups.
• A practical, safety-focused approach and the confidence to challenge unsafe working practices.
• The ability to remain calm and make appropriate decisions in a safety critical environment.
• Good organisational and record keeping skills.
• The ability to work nights, weekends and away when required.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Experience working with Network Rail Maintenance of Electrification and Plant (E&P) would be highly advantageous.

About Advanced Power Services

Advanced Power Services Ltd is a specialist High Voltage Electrical Company delivering HV cable jointing, installation, testing, fault location, maintenance and associated electrical works across the UK.

We undertake extensive work within the rail industry and are looking for someone who wants to become a long-term member of our team rather than simply fulfil a COSS function on individual shifts. The role will primarily support our rail operations; however, the successful candidate will also form part of our wider operational team and may support projects outside the rail environment throughout the UK when required.

You will be joining an experienced team delivering specialist electrical works in a safety critical environment where quality, professionalism and safe working are fundamental to how we operate.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced COSS looking for a permanent position we'd like to hear from you. Please apply with your CV, including details of your current Sentinel competencies and relevant railway experience by clicking the ‘Apply’ button.