The role of a First Bus Safety Officer is critical in ensuring passenger and employee safety, enforcing compliance with transport safety regulations, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement within the fleet and facilities. These professionals play a proactive part in reducing risks, investigating incidents, and providing safety training and education to bus operators and other staff.
Job Description:
As a Safety Officer at First Bus, you will monitor safety procedures, conduct audits, investigate near-misses and incidents, and ensure all health and safety policies are followed across depots and on-road operations. You will liaise with management, local authorities, and regulatory bodies to ensure safety legislation is implemented and maintained.
Salary Expectations:
In the UK, the average salary for a Safety Officer at First Bus ranges from £28,000 to £36,000 annually, depending on experience and region. Senior roles or those with specialized safety certifications can exceed £40,000.
Top 20 First Bus Safety Officer Interview Questions and Answers
1. What interests you about working as a Safety Officer for First Bus?
Answer: I’m passionate about public safety and enjoy roles that involve responsibility, attention to detail, and regulatory compliance. First Bus is a reputable transport leader, and I value the chance to contribute to its safety culture while helping protect passengers and staff alike.
2. Can you explain your understanding of First Bus’s safety priorities?
Answer: First Bus prioritizes zero harm, legal compliance, continuous improvement, and a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility. They emphasize proactive safety management, risk mitigation, and collaboration between operations and safety departments.
3. How do you carry out a safety audit?
Answer: I begin by reviewing past reports, applicable legislation, and First Bus’s internal policies. I use structured checklists, interview relevant personnel, observe site practices, document findings, and provide clear recommendations with deadlines for corrective action.
4. How do you stay updated on safety legislation?
Answer: I subscribe to HSE bulletins, attend CPD-certified safety training, and follow industry news. I also network with professionals and regularly review First Bus’s internal compliance updates.
5. Describe a time when you had to deal with a safety incident. What did you do?
Answer: In a previous role, I responded to a near-miss involving a reversing vehicle in a depot. I isolated the area, interviewed witnesses, reviewed CCTV, and led a root cause analysis. I helped implement new walkways and mirror checks to prevent recurrence.
6. How would you promote a safety-first culture among drivers and depot staff?
Answer: By building relationships, leading by example, delivering engaging training sessions, sharing success stories, and involving staff in safety discussions and decision-making.
7. What KPIs do you use to measure safety performance?
Answer: Common KPIs include Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR), near-miss reporting rates, incident severity scores, audit completion rates, and compliance scores from risk assessments.
8. What’s your experience with risk assessments?
Answer: I have conducted risk assessments across transport, logistics, and mechanical environments. I identify hazards, evaluate risks, recommend mitigation, and review assessments annually or after significant changes.
9. How do you train staff on safety protocols?
Answer: I use interactive workshops, real-world examples, quizzes, and visual materials. I tailor content to the audience, whether new hires or long-term staff, and track engagement and comprehension with assessments.
10. What software tools are you familiar with for reporting or auditing?
Answer: I’ve used tools like Airsweb, iAuditor, and custom in-house safety dashboards to document incidents, schedule audits, and track performance metrics.
11. How do you handle non-compliance among staff?
Answer: I approach it constructively—first by understanding why the non-compliance happened, then providing training or clarification. If repeated, I escalate according to company disciplinary procedures.
12. Can you describe the hierarchy of control in health and safety?
Answer: The hierarchy includes: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and PPE—used in that order to minimize risk as effectively as possible.
13. How would you conduct an accident investigation at a First Bus depot?
Answer: I’d secure the scene, collect evidence (photos, CCTV, logs), interview witnesses, review safety documentation, conduct root cause analysis, and submit a formal report with preventative actions.
14. How do you manage stress in a high-responsibility safety role?
Answer: I maintain a work-life balance, practice mindfulness, and prioritize tasks. I also rely on systems and teamwork, which help reduce individual pressure while ensuring no details are missed.
15. Have you ever had to give a presentation to senior management?
Answer: Yes. I’ve presented quarterly safety reports to senior leadership, using data visualization, clear narratives, and focusing on actionable outcomes to drive improvement.
16. What would you do if a bus driver consistently ignored safety procedures?
Answer: I would document the behavior, engage the driver in a one-on-one conversation, offer retraining, and if behavior continued, involve HR or management for formal action.
17. What are the most common transport safety risks?
Answer: Slips, trips, and falls; collisions; manual handling injuries; fatigue; and lack of situational awareness in busy environments like depots or terminals.
18. How do you ensure safety procedures are followed during night shifts?
Answer: Through regular inspections, consistent training, empowering supervisors, and ensuring night staff feel just as supported and accountable as day crews.
19. What qualifications do you have related to health and safety?
Answer: I hold a NEBOSH General Certificate, IOSH Managing Safely, and I’m currently pursuing the NVQ Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice.
20. Why should we hire you as a Safety Officer for First Bus?
Answer: I bring hands-on safety experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for protecting people. I understand the transport sector’s demands and am committed to supporting First Bus’s mission for a safer, smarter service.
Final Thoughts: Interview Tips and Encouragement
Landing a role as a First Bus Safety Officer isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about showing your passion for protecting people, your understanding of regulations, and your ability to lead change. Here are a few tips before your interview:
Research First Bus: Know their values, recent safety campaigns, and any news relevant to operations or safety.
Practice with a friend: Mock interviews help reduce nerves and improve delivery.
Bring examples: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly explain past experiences.
Be solution-focused: When talking about challenges, always include what you did to resolve them.
Safety officers are guardians of public trust. Walk into that interview with confidence—you’re there to make a difference.
