Senior Risk Officer: Fire and Emergency

Sappi; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Sappi is seeking a Senior Risk Officer: Fire and Emergency in Durban to guide and enforce fire safety compliance across the plant. You will lead cross-functional teams in implementing improvements and ensuring emergency preparedness, with a focus on reducing risk and sustaining SHE performance.

The role requires extensive experience in fire management within heavy industrial environments, ISO 45001 knowledge, and strong incident investigation capabilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–8 years in fire management in manufacturing.
• Experience as Leading Fireman/Officer advantageous.
• Knowledge of ISO 45001 and integrated management systems.
• Certification in HIRA, RCAT, Fire Investigation, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead mill-wide fire improvement initiatives to reduce losses.
• Identify recurring losses via trend analysis and drive corrective actions.
• Coordinate fire risk assessments and implement controls.
• Manage emergency response exercises and post-exercise actions.
• Liaise with emergency services, insurers and regulators.
• Oversee contractor safety files and OHSA-related compliance.

Skills

Fire management

Incident risk assessments

Cross-functional leadership

ISO 45001 knowledge

Fire investigations

HIRA/RCA certification

Job description

At Sappi, we are a leading global provider with a reputation for delivering high-quality sustainable Woodfibre products and solutions for the global markets. We lead through our values centred around safety, integrity, courage, making smart decisions which we execute with speed. We are seeking unique people who believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive and safe environment.

We’re on the lookout for an experienced Senior Risk Officer: Fire and Emergency to provide guidance, support, and enforce compliance with Sappi policies, procedures, legal obligations, and best practices that are pertinent to the industry, using a process of continuous identification and development. In addition, maintain the ISO 45001 certification for the plant.

As a Senior Risk Officer: Fire and Emergency, you will be responsible for:

• Lead and facilitate mill-wide fire Improvement initiatives aimed at eliminating chronic losses, reducing operational risk, and improving SHE performance
• Identify recurring SHE losses and systemic risks through trend analysis and facilitate cross-functional teams to implement sustainable corrective actions
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to significant SHE incidents and operational losses
• Monitor and report on FIRE project progress, benefits realisation and sustainability of implemented improvements
• Drive standardisation and sharing of SHE and fire best practices across departments and other Sappi operations where applicable
• Support the integration of fire principles into daily operational management and routine work processes
• Facilitate risk-based improvement workshops and support departments in identifying opportunities to improve safety, reliability and operational performance
• Coordinate the continual improvement of mill fire prevention programmes and emergency preparedness systems
• Lead periodic reviews of fire risk assessments and ensure implementation of engineering and administrative controls for identified fire hazards
• Coordinate emergency response exercises, fire drills and post-exercise improvement plans to verify emergency readiness
• Support investigations of fire incidents and near misses, ensuring effective root cause analysis and implementation of sustainable corrective actions
• Liaise with emergency services, insurers and regulatory authorities on matters relating to fire risk management and emergency preparedness
• Conduct various internal and external audits (contractor audits, Supplier or Vendor audit, ISO Audit Safety Compliance audits
• Monitor changes in applicable legislation e.g., OHS Act, SANS standards, RSR, NFPA and advise on action planning, provide guidance to management on strategic and operational risk management.
• Enforce compliance with life-saving rules, legal, procedural and other requirements and initiate disciplinary processes for non-compliance.
• Follow up on findings to ensure closure and implementation of corrective or preventative action
• Provide technical advice to Management, Engineering, Contractors and Employees mill-wide to ensure compliance with the OHS Act, Construction Regulations, SANS codes, policies and other legislation
• Seek and recommend new methods or procedures or standards for implementation/integration in or with existing systems/modules to improve Sappi’s compliance with world-class standards
• Coach line managers, supervisors and departmental teams in FIRE methodologies and critical risk control implementation
• Facilitate learning from incidents by ensuring lessons learnt are communicated and embedded into work practices
• Conduct informal checks on procedures, work instructions and ensure that the plants adhere to the correct procedures for
• Respond to various emergencies mill-wide: gas, fire, chemical spillage, IODs, Medical cases
• Manage fire contractor processes including Contractor SHE files approval, pre-entry audit, and assisting contractors in complying with OHSA and Sappi's standards
• Maintain the ambulance through a checklist and maintenance schedule. Provide drivers for the ambulance; manage the ambulance
• Fire truck management and emergency vehicles and trailers
• Manage the fire store and all fire-related equipment
• Schedules for emergency equipment inspections as per SAP schedules
• Submit new fire protection systems and equipment to fire risk consultants for approval
• Log and manage all fire impairments

What are we looking for?

• Qualified Senior Fireman
• 5–8 years' experience in Fire Management, experience as a Leading Fireman/Officer within a Manufacturing Environment chemical or heavy industrial manufacturing environment, would be advantageous
• Experience in facilitating incident risk assessments and cross-functional improvement teams
• Knowledge of ISO 45001, and integrated management systems
• Certification in HIRA, RCAT, Fire Investigation, or equivalent
• Knowledge of Fire Pumps
• Training and knowledge of the Incident Command System would be advantageous
• Experience in Fire Investigation and Reporting

What’s in it for you?

• Opportunity to work within a global organisation that continues to thrive in a rapidly changing world even after 80 years of existence
• Learning and development programmes to fast-track your career within Sappi
• Opportunities to travel (dependent on the role)
• Market-leading leave benefits
• Employee wellbeing benefits