Health Safety Environment Officer

About the Client:

Our client is an established specialist engineering company based in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, operating within the railway industry and other sectors requiring specialised engineering services.

The company has an opportunity for an experienced Safety Officer to join its SHEQ function and support safety, health and environmental compliance across its engineering projects and operations.

The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, coordinating and monitoring safety, health and environmental activities across railway engineering projects and company premises. The role will focus on maintaining compliance with occupational health and safety legislation, applicable railway safety requirements and company SHEQ standards while promoting a strong safety culture across the organisation. 

Key Performance Areas:

• Conduct regular site safety inspections, audits and risk assessments across workshops, depots and railway project sites

• Implement, monitor and continuously improve the company’s SHE management system in accordance with the OHS Act, ISO 45001 and applicable railway safety standards

• Investigate incidents, accidents and near-misses, determine root causes and prepare corrective and preventative action reports

• Facilitate and record safety inductions, toolbox talks and safety training for employees, subcontractors and visitors

• Maintain and update legal appointments, safety files, permits and statutory registers across sites and projects

• Liaise with clients, railway operators, contractors and regulatory bodies regarding safety compliance matters

• Compile SHE reports, statistics and compliance documentation for management and clients

• Monitor the availability, correct use and maintenance of PPE and safety signage

• Support project teams with method statements, risk assessments, SHE files and permits to work prior to commencement of activities

• Conduct day-to-day safety monitoring, inspections, reporting and administration across active sites and projects

• Identify workplace hazards and railway operational risks and implement appropriate control measures

• Review incident trends and audit findings and recommend improvements to safety systems and procedures

• Translate SHE policies and legislative requirements into practical site-level plans, procedures and controls

• Adjust safety plans and controls in response to changing site conditions, legislative requirements and project scope

• Halt unsafe work or activities where identified risks have not been adequately addressed

• Ensure client-specific safety requirements and site rules are consistently understood and applied across engineering projects 

Qualifications and Experience:

• National Diploma or Certificate in Safety Management, SAMTRAC or an equivalent NQF Level 5 qualification

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a Safety Officer role within an engineering, construction or railway environment

• Sound working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations

• Understanding of the railway industry’s operating and safety environment

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook

• Experience using SHE management or incident-reporting software

The following will be advantageous:

• Registration with SACPCMP or an equivalent recognised professional safety body

• ISO 45001 Internal Auditor certification

• Railway safety-related certification, such as PRASA or Transnet safety induction or equivalent 

Competencies and Personal Attributes:

• Strong safety and risk management capability

• Sound knowledge of occupational health and safety compliance requirements

• Strong hazard identification and risk assessment skills

• Incident investigation and root cause analysis capability

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy

• Assertive and confident in addressing unsafe practices

• Strong communication and reporting skills

• Ability to build constructive working relationships with employees, contractors, clients and regulatory authorities

• Strong planning, organisation and prioritisation skills

• Deadline-driven and able to work effectively across multiple sites and projects

• Able to work independently with minimal supervision

• Adaptable to changing site conditions and project requirements

• Collaborative approach to working with engineering, project and operational teams

• Committed to promoting and maintaining a positive safety culture