Operations Safety Lead

UD Trucks India; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

UD Trucks India is seeking an Operations Safety Lead for their Pretoria Plant. This role focuses on developing and implementing safety programs, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and promoting a culture of safety excellence. The ideal candidate will have a diploma in Safety Management and at least 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, with strong skills in planning, team leadership, and safety management.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in manufacturing environment.
• Experience with QHS Act and lean implementation in manufacturing/automotive sector is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement safety management plans including risk assessment.
• Conduct regular safety audits and inspections.
• Provide safety education to employees and drive safety awareness.

Skills

Planning

Team leading

Safe working

Mentoring

Project management

Negotiation skills

Education

Diploma in Safety Management

Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Safety Operations

Tools

MS Office

AutoCAD

ERP systems (Syspro or SAP)

Job description

Operations Safety Lead

Department: Pretoria Plant (BP55000)

Job Overview

UD Trucks is known for our pioneering technologies and products within the commercial automotive industry. The Operations Safety Lead will be responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing operations safety programs. He/She will ensure that the organization complies with all safety regulatory requirements and provide guidance on safety issues.

Responsibilities and Duties

1. Formulation and implementation of safety management plans:

• Good knowledge of OHS act
• Formulate and implement safety management plans for the factory, including risk assessment and planning safety measures.
• Implement Safety PIP activities.
• Prioritize all safety investments.
• Drive Safety Steering Committee (Ops) to run PDCA improvement cycle.
• Support site and departmental safety committees to ensure effective communication and implementation of safety policies.
• Collaborate with other departments such as HR, Operations, and Maintenance to integrate safety into operational workflows.

1. Prevention of occupational accidents:

• Conduct regular safety audits and inspections, providing recommendations for improvement.
• Collaborate with management to identify and mitigate potential safety hazards.
• Lead risk assessment implementation (Ops).
• Implement Safety Kaizens.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in safety processes and initiatives.
• Communicate safety initiatives, updates, and expectations to employees, contractors, and visitors.

1. Implementation of safety education and training:

• Provide safety education to employees to raise awareness, with assistance from HR. This includes training for new employees and regular safety training.
• Drive safety awareness daily.
• Create training programs on safe work practices, hazardous materials handling, and emergency response procedures.
• Ensure all employees understand and adhere to safety standards, policies, and procedures.
• Promote a culture of safety excellence throughout the organization.

1. Accident response:

• Respond quickly and appropriately to accidents, taking measures to prevent recurrence.
• Investigate accidents and incidents, providing recommendations for prevention.
• Drive closure of Gemba actions.
• Ensure safety EWO / Safety Card actions are closed.
• Lead investigations of workplace accidents, incidents, and near misses to determine root causes.
• Coordinate with emergency response teams for timely responses.

1. Compliance with laws and regulations:

• Develop and implement safety policies, procedures, and operational programs to comply with applicable OHS regulations and standards.
• Maintain accurate records to ensure compliance.
• Act as liaison with regulatory agencies, ensuring permits, licenses, and safety requirements are up to date.

Minimum Qualifications

• Diploma in Safety Management, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Safety Operations (e.g., SAMTRAC). Degree is an advantage.

Job Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in manufacturing environment.
• Experience with QHS Act.
• Experience in lean implementation in manufacturing/automotive sector is an advantage.

Job-Related Skills

• Planning, team leading, safe working, mentoring, project management, negotiation skills.
• Computer skills (MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), AutoCAD.
• ERP system knowledge (e.g., Syspro or SAP).
• Knowledge of OHS act procedures and SA safety regulations.
• Knowledge of Lean practices.

About UD Trucks

Part of the Isuzu group, UD Trucks is a global leading international commercial vehicle solutions provider headquartered in Japan. We develop, manufacture, and sell a wide range of trucks across more than 60 countries. Our culture promotes diversity, inclusion, empowered growth, and flexibility with trust. We are committed to creating a better life for society, our customers, and our colleagues. UD Trucks is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity and inclusion.