Health and Safety Officer

Gallagher Convention Centre; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading events venue in Gauteng seeks an Occupational Health and Safety Officer to ensure health, safety, and regulatory compliance at various public events. You will conduct inspections, manage incidents, and ensure contractor compliance while coordinating with emergency services. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and experience in high-volume operational environments, as well as strong knowledge of OHS legislation. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to public safety in a dynamic event setting.

Benefits

Market-related compensation

Medical Aid

Provident Fund

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a high-risk operational environment.
• Strong knowledge of South African OHS legislation and emergency management.
• Excellent report writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Investigate and report on incidents involving staff and visitors.
• Panel approval of exhibition and conference safety measures.

Skills

Attention to detail

Decision-making under pressure

Communication

Organisational skills

Proactive mindset

Education

National Diploma or Degree in Occupational Health & Safety or related field

SAMTRAC, NEBOSH or equivalent certification

Job description

Position: Occupational Health and Safety Officer

Location: Gallagher Convention Centre

Department: Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

Reporting to: Health & Safety Manager

Employment Type: Full-time

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Occupational Health and Safety Officer to ensure the health, safety, and regulatory compliance of all clients, guests, employees, contractors, and service providers at Gallagher Convention Centre.

This role is critical in a high-volume events environment and requires strong operational discipline, regulatory knowledge, and the ability to manage safety across exhibitions, conferences, and large-scale public events.

Key Responsibilities

Occupational Health & Safety Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and all applicable regulations.
• Conduct daily, weekly, monthly, and ad hoc safety inspections across exhibition halls, function venues, waste management areas, fire escapes, fire equipment, and first aid facilities.
• Identify hazards, implement corrective actions, and expedite deviations promptly.
• Stop unsafe acts or processes immediately where non-compliance is identified.

Incident Investigation & Management

• Investigate and report all incidents involving staff, delegates, visitors, and contractors.
• Compile incident reports, take witness statements, and submit documentation to management and relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate onsite medical response, emergency evacuations, COID (WCL.2) documentation, and liaison with HR and medical service providers.

Event Safety & Planning

• Review and approve exhibition and conference floor plans from a safety perspective.
• Compile comprehensive event safety files for submission to City Joint Operations Committee (JOC), SAPS, EMS, and Fire Department.
• Present events at City JOC when required.
• Ensure all Certificates of Compliance, risk assessments, emergency plans, and public liability documentation are obtained and filed.

Proactive Safety Management

• Coordinate fire drills and simulation exercises with EMS, Disaster Management, and onsite medics.
• Conduct regular safety walkabouts and inspections to identify unsafe work practices.
• Chair or support Health & Safety meetings, take minutes, and track actions to completion.

Contractor & Supplier Compliance

• Ensure all contractors and service providers comply with HSE requirements and Service Level Agreements.
• Verify and manage supplier compliance documentation, including COID, public liability, tax clearance, and B-BBEE certificates.
• Liaise with security, cleaning, waste management, fire services, and medical providers.

Regulatory & Certificate Management

• Manage and monitor expiry and renewal of:
• COID Letter of Good Standing
• Public Liability Insurance
• Liquor Licence
• Fire Compliance Certificates
• Electrical, lift, generator, and evacuation equipment compliance
• Food Safety, Halaal, Flammable Substances, Medical Fitness, and Venue Grading Certificates
• Maintain accurate HSE records and inspection files.

Administration & Reporting

• Manage all Health & Safety department administration.
• Maintain inspection checklists, compliance files, budgets, and reporting dashboards.
• Support procurement processes, quotations, purchase orders, and budget consolidation.

Minimum Requirements

• National Diploma or Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Safety Management, or related field.
• SAMTRAC, NEBOSH, or equivalent certification (advantageous).
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a high-risk or high-volume operational environment (events, hospitality, facilities, or construction preferred).
• Strong knowledge of South African OHS legislation, COID, fire safety, and emergency management.
• Experience working with EMS, SAPS, Fire Department, and City JOC structures.
• Excellent report writing, administrative, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including events, evenings, and weekends.

Key Competencies

• High attention to detail
• Strong decision-making under pressure
• Assertive and confident communicator
• Highly organised and deadline-driven
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset

Why Join Gallagher Convention Centre?

• Be part of one of South Africa’s premier events and exhibition venues.
• Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with large-scale national and international events.
• Opportunity to play a critical role in public safety and regulatory excellence.

Compensation

• Market Related
• Medical Aid
• Provident Fund