OHSE Officer

The OHS Officer is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining occupational health and safety systems within the manufacturing and distribution facility. The role ensures total compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and relevant regulations, driving a "Zero Harm" safety culture, minimizing operational downtime due to accidents, and mitigating liability for the organization.

Responsibilities

• Factory Floor Safety: Conduct daily safety walks to inspect machinery and work areas, ensuring all safety guards and emergency stops are functional.
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): Enforce, audit, and improve LOTO protocols during machine maintenance, cleaning protocols and equipment changes.
• Hazardous Materials: Oversee the safe storage, chemical handling, and disposal of industrial materials in line with standard regulations.
• Incident Investigation: Lead root-cause analysis for any plant accidents, injuries, or near-misses, and implement corrective actions immediately.
• PPE Enforcement: Monitor and enforce the correct use of mandatory PPE (e.g., steel-toed boots, hearing protection, safety glasses).
• Training & Drills: Conduct safety inductions for new plant employees and contractors, run toolbox talks, and coordinate regular emergency evacuation and chemical spill drills.
• Compliance Reporting: Maintain accurate safety logs, injury registers, and compliance documentation for internal audits and government labor inspections.

Requirements

• National Diploma in Safety Management / Environmental Health, or equivalent qualification (NQF Level 6).
• 3 to 5 years experience as a Safety Officer directly within a fast-paced manufacturing, FMCG, or food production environment.
• Detailed working knowledge of the South African OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993) and its incorporated regulations (e.g., General Machinery Regulations, Driven Machinery Regulations, Hazardous Chemical Agents Regulations).
• Proven experience handling Department of Employment and Labor inspectors and external audits.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and safety management software.
• Willingness to travel to different sites.