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Our client, a leading general contractor, is looking for an HSE Lead to join their team on a large-scale 100MW hyperscale data centre construction project in Kouvola, Finland.

Overview:

We are seeking an experienced HSE Lead to take full ownership of health, safety, and environmental management on behalf of a leading general contractor delivering a 100MW greenfield hyperscale data centre in Kouvola, Finland. As the GC's senior HSE representative on site, you will develop and enforce the project HSE management plan across all subcontractors and workstreams, ensuring full compliance with Finnish occupational health and safety legislation, client HSE requirements, and international best practice standards throughout all phases of construction, from groundworks and civil works through to MEP installation, commissioning, and handover.

Contract:

Location: Kouvola, FinlandWorking arrangement: FreelanceContract: 12+ monthsRate: Negotiable (based on experience)Mobilisation: ImmediateOn site, 5 days a week

Key Responsibilities:

Develop, implement, and maintain the project HSE Management Plan, site-specific risk assessments, and safe systems of work in compliance with Finnish occupational health and safety legislation and client requirements.Act as the primary HSE authority on site for the general contractor, providing visible leadership and driving a proactive safety culture across all contractor and subcontractor workforces.Conduct daily site inspections and regular HSE audits across all active work areas, identifying hazards, issuing non-conformances, and ensuring timely corrective action and closeout.Manage the permit to work system across all high-risk activities including hot works, working at height, confined space entry, excavation, energisation, and live side works.Lead incident and near-miss investigations, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions, reporting findings to the project manager and client HSE team.Review and approve subcontractor HSE plans, method statements, and risk assessments prior to works commencing on site.Deliver site inductions, toolbox talks, and HSE training for all site personnel, ensuring compliance with site rules and emergency procedures at all times.Maintain and report on HSE performance metrics including leading and lagging indicators on a weekly and monthly basis to the project manager and client.Coordinate emergency response planning and conduct regular emergency drills across the site.Manage environmental compliance across the site including waste management, noise, dust, spill prevention, and protection of the local environment in line with Finnish environmental regulations.Liaise with the Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Authority (AVI) and other relevant regulatory bodies as required.Support the fulfilment of BAS-U responsibilities in accordance with Finnish construction health and safety coordination requirements.Manage and mentor a team of HSE officers and advisors embedded across the project workstreams.

Requirements:

Degree or equivalent qualification in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.NEBOSH Construction Certificate or equivalent as a minimum; NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent preferred.8+ years of HSE management experience on large-scale construction projects, with a minimum of 3 years on data centre, mission-critical, or complex industrial projects.Proven track record as a senior HSE lead or HSE manager on projects of comparable scale and complexity.Strong working knowledge of Finnish occupational health and safety legislation including the Occupational Safety and Health Act and Construction Decree 205/2009.Experience fulfilling or supporting BAS-U (turvallisuuskoordinaattori) responsibilities on Finnish construction projects is advantageous.Demonstrable experience managing HSE across large, multicultural subcontractor workforces on fast-track construction programmes.Strong incident investigation skills including root cause analysis and CAPA management.Proficient in HSE reporting, KPI tracking, and presenting performance data to senior project and client stakeholders.Fluent Finnish reading, writing and speaking skills required Read less