Process Safety Engineer

NCP Chlorchem; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

A chemical processing company in Johannesburg seeks a Safety Management Specialist to lead process hazard analyses, ensure compliance with safety standards, and support safety audits. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of relevant experience, strong leadership abilities, and a background in chemical engineering. This position requires effective communication skills and the capability to manage complex projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years plant experience in chemical process industry.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and safety audits.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Process Hazard Analyses and risk assessments.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards.
• Manage Management of Change process effectively.

Skills

Process Safety Management (PSM)

Leadership skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Problem-solving techniques

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Chemical Engineering)

Matric with Science and Mathematics

Tools

Aspen Plus

MS Office Suite

Job description

Key performance area

1.Process Hazard Analysis.

• Lead and conduct Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), such as Hazard and Operability Studies (HazOpS), What-If, 5 Whys, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA).
• Perform risk assessments on equipment and operations involving flammable, reactive, or toxic substances.

2.Compliance

Ensure compliance to Management of Change, Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, Compliance with Standards and Process Safety Knowledge Management standards as the PSM Element owner of these PSM elements.

Develop, review, and update process safety procedures, process documentation, and engineering controls.

Lead and support PSM compliance initiatives, policies, procedures and best practices throughout the organization.

Ensure corrective actions arising from PHAs, Integrated Management Systems (IMS) audit, Major Hazard Installation (MHI) audits, Process Safety Management (PSM) audits and other internal and external audits are implemented, tracked and reported on a frequent basis.

Collaborate with the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) department to ensure alignment and compliance with the Process Safety Management system.

Ensure compliance with national and international standards relating to Process Safety Management (PSM specifically and South African Nationals Standards (SANS) in general.

Conduct / Participate in audits and Facilitated Self Assessments. Review self-assessment program and results of plant PSM self- assessments as part of quality control.

Contribute to safety and process safety audits, inspections, and internal assessments with the production plan.

3.Management of Change.

As custodian of the Management of Change (MOC) process, manage the process to ensure safe implementation of design or process changes.

Monitor regulatory changes, publicly available information, and significant incidents at other chemical plants in the industry and make recommendations to the business where applicable

Consult with experts regarding PSM best practices and implement where applicable.

4.Project Management and Support.

Participate in and Review Pre Start-up Safety Reviews (PSSRs) for new or modified plant or equipment or after extended shutdown periods.

Collaborate with engineering and operations teams during project design and implementation to incorporate safety standards.

Support process safety incident investigation, determine root causes, and recommend corrective and preventive actions.

Support training programs related to chemical hazard awareness, emergency response, and process safety fundamentals.

Give guidance regarding PSM topics and assist PSM Element Owners to address non-conformance in their areas.

Support responsible employees who interface with regulatory agencies.

5.Related SHEQ Responsibilities

Knowledge / Skills / Competencies

Knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) and regulatory requirements.

Knowledge of PHA / HazOpS and Risk Assessment methodology.

Knowledge of engineering principles relating to process safety, chemical manufacturing, process chemistry and process safety.

Knowledge of the design of chemical processing units and equipment, e.g. reactors, stripping columns. absorption towers, electrolysers, separators, storage tanks, piping, evaporators, pumps, mixers, valves, heat exchangers, boilers, cooling towers and compressors.

Knowledge of Process Modelling and Simulation using Aspen Plus

Knowledge of Problem-Solving Techniques

Knowledge of Continuous Improvement

Knowledge of Operational Planning

Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations (ISO 45001)

Knowledge of Environmental Standards (ISO 14001)

Knowledge of Quality Standards, (ISO 9001)

Knowledge of Major Hazard Installations, (MHIs)

Knowledge of Root Cause Investigations (RCI)

Knowledge in Responsible Care principles

Computer literacy in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) - advanced

Computer literacy in Process Modelling and Simulation Software (Aspen Plus, Hysis, ChemCAD, Matlab, Scilab)

Strong leadership / change management skills

High levels of self-motivation, initiative, and interpersonal skills

Able to think independently, multi-task, and handle tasks through to completion

Excellent analytical, problem solving, & organizational skills.

Relationship building abilities with regulatory community

Proven ability to lead teams, influence operations, and build consensus opinions

Proactive problem-solving abilities use initiative

Good time management skills deadline driven

Quality and results orientated

Good Judgement

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Analytical Ability

Professionalism

Attention to Detail

Confidentiality

Personal Ethics

Good Decision-making ability

Self-motivated, energetic and positive

Reliable / responsible / dependable / trustworthy

Team worker

Conflict management ability

High level of integrity

Focus on best business practice.

Experience

Minimum of 10 years plant experience with a technical understanding of process safety and its application to the chemical process industry (application in major hazard installations is advantageous).

Qualifications :

Matric with Science and Mathematics

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Chemical Engineering)

Process Safety Training

Reporting structure :

This position reports to the Technical Services Manager.

Personal Circumstances :

Must be able to obtain a satisfactory medical report from the companies medical centre.

Other requirements : Please ensure :

That the application form is fully completed and attached with your CV.

That the reference number and / or position name of this advertisement is quoted on your application form.

That recently certified copies of all qualifications referred to on your application form and cv, are submitted.

External Applicants :

Failure to comply with the above requirements will result in your application being disqualified.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply, should the applicant be successful the incumbent will be reasonably accommodated depending on the inherent requirements of the job.

All applicants are thanked in advance for showing interest however correspondences will only be entered into with the shortlisted candidates.

Closing date : 05 August 2025

CVs to be sent to :