Safety Officer

Specd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A safety and engineering firm in Johannesburg is seeking a passionate Safety Officer to ensure workplace safety. You'll lead the OHS management system, ensuring compliance with safety legislation and ISO standards while engaging with contractors and clients. The ideal candidate must have a strong background in occupational health and safety, excellent communication skills, and the ability to lead training initiatives. The role requires extensive site-based presence and the flexibility to work occasionally after hours.

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in occupational health and safety management.
• Working knowledge of ISO 45001:2018.
• Capacity to deliver training and manage incidents.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain an ISO 45001 compliant OHS management system.
• Conduct risk assessments and audits.
• Deliver safety culture training and promote compliance.

Skills

Strong situational awareness

Clear communication skills

Problem solving

Ethical mindset

Education

National Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Safety Management

Recognized OHS qualification (e.g., SAMTRAC)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Power BI

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION INFORMATION :

Job Title : Safety Officer

Employment Type : Permanent

Work Model : Onsite

JOB CONTEXT

Were on the lookout for a passionate and detail-driven Occupational Health & Safety Officer to be the guardian of workplace safety across our operations. In this role, youll champion our OHS management system, ensuring compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, client requirements, and ISO 45001 : 2018 standards. Youll not only keep our sites safe but also inspire a proactive safety culture where everyone takes ownership of health and safety.

Responsibilities

• OHS Management System (OHSMS)
  • Implement, maintain, and continually improve an ISO 45001 : 2018-aligned OHS management system across head office and all sites.
  • Conduct and update baseline, issue-based, and continuous risk assessments (HIRA); maintain site risk registers and safe operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Lead internal OHS audits and inspections; drive close-out of nonconformities and corrective / preventive actions.
  • Support integration with ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 9001 (quality) where applicable.
• Legal Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and its Regulations, including but not limited to :
  • Construction Regulations
  • General Safety Regulations
  • General Machinery Regulations
  • Driven Machinery Regulations
  • Electrical Installation and Machinery Regulations
  • Hazardous Chemical Agents (HCA) Regulations
  • Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Regulations
  • Asbestos Abatement Regulations and Lead Regulations (where applicable)
  • Maintain and update a legal register; conduct periodic compliance audits; verify contractor compliance.
  • Prepare appointment letters (per OHS Act) and assist in ensuring competent persons are appointed as required (e.g., Section 16(2), 8(2), GMR 2(1), CR 8, etc.).
• Site Safety Planning and Controls
  • Develop project / site-specific Safety Files, method statements, safe work procedures (SWPs), and permit-to-work processes (confined space, hot work, work at height, LOTO).
  • Oversee critical risk controls: working at heights, lifting operations, electrical safety, confined spaces, pressure systems, excavations, traffic management, simultaneous operations (SIMOPS), and isolation / LOTO.
  • Verify pre-use inspections and statutory inspections (lifting gear, MEWPs, scaffolding, pressure vessels, electrical, fall arrest systems) with certified inspectors.
• Tendering Process
  • Develop quality OHS requirements in line with specified requirements for all tenders and ensure timely submission thereof.
  • Conduct site visits and ensure compliance once tender has been awarded to YNF.
• Training, Competence, and Culture
  • Deliver inductions, toolbox talks, and targeted training on HIRA, incident reporting, emergency response, and critical controls.
  • Coordinate statutory and role-based training (first aid, firefighting, working at heights, forklift / overhead crane operation, confined space entry, LOTO).
  • Promote a proactive safety culture with employees and subcontractors; facilitate Safety Committees in line with OHS Act requirements.
• Incident Management
  • Lead incident and near-miss reporting, investigation, root cause analysis (e.g., 5-Why, ICAM), and corrective action tracking.
  • Ensure notifiable incidents are reported to the Department of Employment and Labour, clients, and insurers as required.
  • Maintain emergency preparedness and response plans; conduct drills (fire, spill, medical, evacuation).
• Health Risk Management
  • Coordinate medical surveillance programmes with Occupational Health providers in line with HCA, noise, and other exposure regulations.
  • Oversee hygiene surveys (noise, dust, chemicals), exposure monitoring, and control measures (ventilation, PPE, engineering and administrative controls).
  • Ensure proper selection, issue, fit-testing (where applicable), and management of PPE.
• Contractor and Client Engagement
  • Vet contractor safety files; conduct site mobilization checks and regular audits; enforce corrective actions.
  • Attend client HSE meetings, provide reports, and align with client standards and site rules.
  • Provide safety inputs for bids and method statements; support project kick-off and readiness reviews.
• Reporting and KPIs
  • Compile weekly / monthly HSE reports: leading / lagging KPIs, incidents, observations, training, and audit findings.
  • Track and analyze trends; recommend improvement initiatives.
  • Maintain digital records and dashboards; ensure data integrity.

Key Requirements

• 3+ years of experience as a paralegal or legal assistant, with experience in [specific field, e.g., corporate law, family law, etc.]
• Strong knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, and documentation
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational abilities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and legal software (e.g., Clio, LexisNexis)
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team

Qualifications and Professional Registration and Certifications

• National Diploma or Bachelors Degree in Safety Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health, Engineering, or related field; or
• Recognized OHS qualification (e.g., SAMTRAC) with relevant industry experience.
• Construction Health and Safety Officer Registration (SACPCMP)
• Advantageous : Postgraduate qualification in OHS / Industrial Hygiene / Risk Management.

ISO and Audit Competence

• Working knowledge of ISO 45001 : 2018 (required).
• Internal Auditor certification for ISO 45001 (required) and Lead Auditor (advantageous).
• Familiarity with ISO 14001 : 2015 and ISO 9001 : 2015 for integrated systems (advantageous).
• Auditing guidelines per ISO 19011 (advantageous).

South African Professional Bodies (Advantageous)

• SACPCMP Registration:
• Construction Health and Safety Officer (CHSO) or Construction Health and Safety Manager (CHSM), depending on seniority / scope
• SAIOH membership / registration (advantageous if undertaking hygiene exposure work).
• SAIOSH membership (TechSAIOSH / Pr.SAIOSH) advantageous.

Other Relevant Certifications

• HIRA / Risk Assessment training (required).
• Incident Investigation training (e.g., ICAM) (advantageous).
• Legal Liability training for line management and OHS Act awareness (advantageous).
• Accredited training for critical tasks (e.g., Fall Protection Plan development, Lifting Operations, Confined Space, LOTO).
• First Aid Level 1 (minimum) and Firefighting (advantageous).
• Valid drivers licence (Code B) and willingness to travel.

Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of the OHS Act and relevant Regulations (Construction, General Safety, Driven Machinery, Electrical, HCA, NIHL, Asbestos, Lead).
• Risk assessment methodologies (baseline / issue-based / continuous) and hierarchy of controls.
• Permit-to-work and critical controls for high-risk activities (work at height, lifting, confined spaces, electrical, excavations).
• Statutory inspection regimes and coordination with Approved Inspection Authorities and competent inspectors.
• Occupational hygiene basics: exposure monitoring, controls, medical surveillance coordination.
• Emergency preparedness, incident investigation, and root cause analysis.
• Data and document control; KPI tracking and trend analysis (Excel / Sheets, Power BI or similar).
• Internal auditing methods per ISO 19011.

Behavioral Competencies

• Strong situational awareness and intervention courage.
• Clear, assertive communication and ability to influence contractors and site teams.
• Planning, prioritization, and follow-through across multiple concurrent sites.
• Problem solving, resilience, and adaptability under project conditions.
• Ethical, professional, and safety-first mindset.

Experience

• 35 years safety management experience in engineering services, construction, mining, energy, water, manufacturing, or related sectors with multi-site exposure.
• Proven experience implementing ISO 45001-aligned OHSMS, conducting risk assessments, and controlling critical risks on active sites.
• Demonstrated competence in contractor management, site audits, and safety file control.
• Track record in incident investigation, corrective action management, and regulatory reporting.
• Experience delivering inductions, toolbox talks, and role-based training.
• Familiarity with digital HSE systems and reporting dashboards.

Key Performance Indicators

• Reduction in TRIR / LTIFR and zero significant incidents / fatalities.
• Legal compliance status (no prohibitions / notices; timely close-out of findings).
• Audit / inspection close-out effectiveness and timeliness.
• Training coverage and competency completion rates.
• Compliance of contractor safety files and site mobilization readiness.
• Effectiveness of critical control verifications and permit-to-work adherence.
• Quality and timeliness of client and internal HSE reporting.

Working Conditions

• Office and extensive site-based presence nationwide (industrial, construction, operational plants).
• Required use of PPE; exposure to site hazards managed by controls and training.
• Occasional after-hours and weekend work for shutdowns, incidents, or audits.

Package & Remuneration

• Will be agreed based on qualifications, experience and previous earnings.