Process Safety Engineer - HAZOP and Risk Assessment

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical coverage

Retirement benefits

Professional development

Safety training

Stable work environment

Work-life balance

Job summary

Placements24 in Klerksdorp, South Africa, seeks a Process Safety Engineer to manage safety across facilities. You will lead HAZOPs, QRAs, and develop robust safety systems to protect operations and people in the Oil & Gas/chemical context.

The ideal candidate has a chemical or mechanical engineering background with 5+ years of process safety experience, strong regulatory knowledge, and excellent communication skills to engage with regulators and site teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years in process safety in Oil & Gas or chemical industry.
• Experience leading HAZOPs and risk assessments.
• Knowledge of PSM elements and standards (OSHA PSM, Seveso).
• Familiarity with SIS and their application.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Experience with risk assessment software is beneficial.
• Knowledge of South African regulatory environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead HAZOP, LOPA, and other PHAs.
• Conduct QRAs to evaluate risks and mitigation strategies.
• Develop and implement PSM systems.
• Ensure compliance with SA and international standards.
• Review designs and procedures from a process safety perspective.
• Investigate incidents and root causes.
• Deliver process safety training.
• Maintain P&IDs, safety-critical elements, and alarm management.
• Liaise with regulators and stakeholders on process safety matters.
• Champion a strong safety culture.

Skills

HAZOP leadership

QRA

PSM implementation

Regulatory knowledge

SIS familiarity

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical/Mechanical Eng

Tools

Risk assessment software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the Oil & Gas industry, is looking for a dedicated Process Safety Engineer to join their team in Klerksdorp, North West. This role is vital for ensuring the safe operation of all facilities by managing process safety risks. The engineer will be responsible for conducting Hazard and Operability studies (HAZOPs), quantitative risk assessments (QRAs), and developing robust safety management systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of process safety principles, regulatory requirements, and best practices within the chemical and petrochemical industries. This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute significantly to the safety culture and operational integrity of a major energy producer in South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in HAZOP, LOPA, and other process hazard analyses (PHA).
• Conduct quantitative risk assessments (QRA) to evaluate potential risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Develop and implement process safety management (PSM) systems.
• Ensure compliance with relevant national and international process safety regulations and standards.
• Review engineering designs and operational procedures from a process safety perspective.
• Investigate incidents and near misses, identifying root causes and recommending preventive actions.
• Develop and deliver process safety training to site personnel.
• Maintain process safety information, including P&IDs, safety critical elements, and alarm management.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders on process safety matters.
• Champion a strong safety culture throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process safety engineering within the Oil & Gas or chemical industry.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and facilitating HAZOP studies and risk assessments.
• Thorough knowledge of PSM elements and standards (e.g., OSHA PSM, Seveso Directive).
• Familiarity with safety instrumented systems (SIS) and their application.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and report-writing skills.
• Experience with risk assessment software is beneficial.
• Knowledge of the South African regulatory environment for process safety is an advantage.
• Must have valid work authorization for South Africa.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive medical coverage, and retirement benefits. Opportunities for professional development, including advanced safety training and certifications, are provided. This role is based in Klerksdorp, offering a stable work environment. Our client is committed to work-life balance and fosters a collaborative and safety-conscious workplace. Performance bonuses may be awarded based on individual and company achievements. This position is key to ensuring operational integrity in a vital industrial region.