Safety Officer

Purpose of the Role:

The primary purpose of the Safety Officer is to promote and maintain a safe, healthy and legally compliant working environment by identifying hazards, implementing and monitoring effective controls, and ensuring compliance with company HSE standards, legislation and procedures.

The Safety Officer will play a key role in driving a positive HSE culture and will work closely with management, employees, contractors, customers and suppliers to identify risks, prevent incidents and continuously improve HSE performance.

This is a hands-on, site-based position requiring a visible HSE presence and the confidence to intervene and stop unsafe work where necessary

Contract and Performance Review:

This position is offered on a six-month Fixed-Term Contract.

The successful candidate's performance, conduct, HSE competence and overall suitability for the role will be reviewed during and at the end of the six-month contract period.

Subject to satisfactory performance, business requirements and the availability of a suitable permanent position, permanent employment may be considered.

Please note: Completion of the six-month Fixed-Term Contract does not guarantee permanent employment

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a positive HSE culture that promotes the wellbeing of employees, contractors, customers, suppliers and the environment.
• Monitor implementation of the Site/Depot HSE Management Plan and 5-Year HSE & ESG Strategies.
• Conduct daily HSE compliance monitoring and inspections.
• Identify hazards, assess risks and ensure effective controls are implemented and maintained.
• Ensure employees, contractors, customers and suppliers comply with applicable HSE requirements.
• Ensure the site/depot team is aware of and complies with all applicable legal and contractual HSE obligations.
• Facilitate and participate in HSE meetings, toolbox talks, inspections, audits and management reviews.
• Ensure statutory appointments of competent persons are correctly documented and maintained.
• Monitor compliance with company HSE procedures, Life-Saving Rules and critical controls.
• Coordinate HSE inductions and ensure new employees and contractors have completed all required training, medical assessments and competency requirements before commencing work.
• Monitor contractor compliance and maintain contractor HSE files.
• Compile and maintain safety files for projects & trucks.
• Facilitate internal HSE training and employee upskilling initiatives.
• Monitor visitors, contractors and suppliers entering and working on site.
• Coordinate and monitor the completion of required HSE registers and inspections.
• Drive the close-out of findings from internal and external HSE audits.
• Maintain and update HSE notice boards and safety communication material.
• Monitor and drive the implementation of the Safety Improvement Plan (SIP).
• Promote employee participation in HSE awareness campaigns and initiatives, including I AM A SAFETY LEADER.
• Participate in incident, accident, high-potential incidents and near-miss investigations and ensure corrective actions are implemented and closed out.
• Monitor leading and lagging HSE indicators and identify trends requiring intervention.
• Escalate significant HSE risks, non-compliance and deviations to management.
• Exercise the authority to intervene and stop unsafe work where there is an immediate risk to people, property or the environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent
• Recognised Health & Safety qualification: SAMTRAC or equivalent
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a Health & Safety environment
• Valid Code 8 / B driver's licence
• Own reliable transport
• Mandatory: Currently residing in Bloemfontein or the immediate surrounding area
• South African citizen
• No criminal record, subject to applicable company requirements
• Medically fit to perform the inherent requirements of the position, subject to the Company's occupational medical assessment
• Willingness to travel when required

Experience & Skills

• Minimum 3 years' relevant HSE experience
• Experience within a bituminous, chemical, manufacturing, construction, industrial or similar high-risk environment will be advantageous
• Good working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable South African HSE legislation
• Practical knowledge of risk assessments/HIRA, inspections, incident investigations and corrective-action management
• Understanding of contractor HSE management
• Ability to identify critical risks and verify that critical controls are effectively implemented
• Ability to analyse leading and lagging HSE indicators and identify trends and root causes
• Strong administrative and reporting skills
• Computer literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Ability to communicate HSE requirements clearly and effectively to employees at all levels
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure
• Ability to escalate HSE deviations beyond their level of authority or influence
• Strong interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills
• A practical, hands-on approach to HSE management

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated and proactive
• Assertive and confident when dealing with unsafe behaviour and non-compliance
• Maintains sober habits and demonstrates responsible, safety-conscious behaviour at all times
• A strong communicator and team player
• Professional and organised
• Honest and demonstrates high integrity
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities
• Able to build effective relationships with employees, management, contractors, customers and other stakeholders
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, operational environment
• Passionate about preventing incidents and improving safety performance