A Health & Safety Officer at Brighton & Hove Buses plays a pivotal role in ensuring the wellbeing of staff, passengers, and the general public. This safety-critical position oversees the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of health and safety standards across depots, vehicles, and operational sites. Responsibilities include conducting risk assessments, investigating incidents, ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing ongoing staff training.
As of 2025, the salary for this role typically ranges between £33,000 to £45,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. In a city like Brighton & Hove, with high passenger turnover and complex urban transport networks, the importance of a diligent Health & Safety Officer cannot be overstated. Your work literally helps keep the city moving—safely.
Top 20 Interview Questions and Answers for Brighton & Hove Buses Health & Safety Officer Role
1. What motivates you to work in health and safety, particularly in the transport sector?
Answer: I’m passionate about creating safe working environments where people feel protected. In the public transport sector, I find it especially rewarding because I can positively impact both employees and the travelling public. Brighton & Hove Buses’ community-focused values align perfectly with my mission.
2. What health and safety qualifications do you hold?
Answer: I hold a NEBOSH General Certificate and a Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety. I’m also a TechIOSH member working towards GradIOSH.
3. How do you stay current with health and safety regulations?
Answer: I subscribe to the HSE newsletter, attend IOSH webinars, and regularly review updates to UK legislation. I also network with other safety professionals through forums and LinkedIn.
4. Describe a time when you improved health and safety compliance in your workplace.
Answer: In my previous role, I implemented a digital incident reporting system that reduced paperwork errors by 45% and sped up response times. This change improved regulatory compliance and led to quicker root-cause analysis.
5. What’s your process for conducting a risk assessment for a bus depot?
Answer: I start with a walkthrough, consult with drivers and engineers, identify hazards, evaluate risks, and implement control measures. I document everything clearly and review it periodically.
6. How would you handle an employee who refuses to follow safety procedures?
Answer: I’d speak with them privately to understand their concerns, reiterate the importance of compliance, and, if necessary, involve HR and use disciplinary procedures. Education and communication are key before escalation.
7. How do you investigate workplace accidents?
Answer: I secure the area, gather statements, review CCTV (if applicable), collect evidence, identify root causes, and issue a full report with recommendations to prevent recurrence.
8. What key regulations affect health and safety in public transport?
Answer: The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, PUWER, RIDDOR, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 are fundamental. Compliance with DVSA and local authority requirements is also essential.
9. How would you create a safety culture among bus drivers and maintenance teams?
Answer: Through regular toolbox talks, positive reinforcement, transparent reporting, and involving staff in shaping safety initiatives to give them ownership.
10. Can you give an example of a successful safety training program you delivered?
Answer: I developed a workshop on manual handling for maintenance staff, using real-life depot scenarios. Feedback showed a 70% increase in confidence levels and a 30% drop in lifting-related injuries in three months.
11. What’s your experience with emergency response planning?
Answer: I’ve developed and tested fire evacuation and major incident response plans in transport depots. I’ve also conducted joint simulations with emergency services to evaluate readiness.
12. How do you ensure contractors working on-site follow safety protocols?
Answer: All contractors undergo site induction, provide method statements and risk assessments, and are monitored through spot checks. Non-compliance is addressed immediately.
13. How do you measure the effectiveness of your safety interventions?
Answer: I use KPIs such as incident frequency rates, audit results, and staff feedback surveys to measure success. A reduction in near misses is often a key indicator.
14. What would you do if you noticed unsafe behaviour from a senior manager?
Answer: I’d address it tactfully and professionally, referencing policy and regulation. Safety must apply to all levels equally. If unresolved, I’d escalate it through the appropriate channels.
15. How familiar are you with vehicle safety standards for public transport?
Answer: I’m well-versed in DVSA compliance, daily vehicle inspection protocols, and maintenance schedules. I regularly review vehicle defect reports and support engineering teams in resolving recurring issues.
16. How do you handle stress or emergency situations?
Answer: I stay calm, follow the emergency plan, and focus on clear communication. My training helps me stay grounded and respond logically.
17. How would you improve reporting of near misses?
Answer: I’d simplify the process, make it accessible (e.g., via mobile app), and foster a no-blame culture so staff feel safe reporting issues.
18. How do you manage competing safety priorities across multiple sites?
Answer: I assess risk severity, potential impact, and legal implications to prioritise tasks. Clear scheduling and stakeholder communication are key to managing workload efficiently.
19. Describe your approach to auditing health and safety compliance.
Answer: I use a structured checklist tailored to the site’s risks, involve local teams, review documentation, and present findings with actionable improvement plans.
20. Why do you want to work for Brighton & Hove Buses specifically?
Answer: I admire your commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and community safety. I want to contribute to a company that values people and continuous improvement as much as I do.
Final Tips for Acing Your Brighton & Hove Buses Interview
Interviewing for a role like Health & Safety Officer requires more than just technical knowledge. Here are some final pointers to boost your chances:
Know the company: Understand Brighton & Hove Buses’ values, operations, and recent news.
Use the STAR method: When answering behavioural questions, structure your responses using Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
Show your passion: Communicate genuine interest in making a positive impact on people’s safety.
Prepare your own questions: Ask about the team’s biggest safety challenges or upcoming projects.
Follow up: Send a polite thank-you email after your interview.
Remember, confidence comes from preparation. Practice these questions, research the company culture, and walk into the interview knowing you’re ready to protect and serve—safely.
