occupational health and safety practitioner

Job Purpose:

Accountability 1 : OHS system

• Monitor performance and maintain controls according to legal and compliance requirements.
• Display expertise to train staff on new developments and general OHS awareness (general and on-the-job).
• Build internal processes with compliance documentation, training manuals and staying abreast with latest international and local trends.
• Applying subject matter expertise in evaluating business operations and processes and implement controls where necessary or gaps are identified
• Identifying areas where tactical solutions would improve business performance
• Consulting across business operations, providing mentorship, and contributing specialized knowledge.
• Documenting processes and disseminating information to all relevant stakeholders

Accountability 2 : Risk management - Ensure OHS compliance

• Monitor the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards and a management information system by obtaining monthly reports from all premises and staff in conjunction with Facilities Management.
• Assist workplaces to become compliant by sending reminders of information that is still outstanding and escalate non-compliance to the OHS Manager and relevant Regional Managers.
• Liaise with Business Units by providing expert opinions, advice and recommendations pertaining to the OHS Act and COID (Compensation of Injuries and Diseases on duty).
• Engage with various internal Business Units, Regional Operations and Human Resources to ensure participation and elimination of occupational health and safety risks.
• Provide input and recommendations pertaining to revision of training material.
• Conduct site compliance inspections and investigations (e.g., injuries on duty) to identify OHS risk related non-compliances and to ensure procedural compliance by staff, tenants and contractors. Submit reports on findings and ensuring that calls are logged and managed to closure.
• Attend inspection/inquiries held by the Department of Labour or on request from a tenant.
• Conduct OHS audits and proactive inspections and report on findings with appropriate recommendations to enhance OHS compliance, which could include, technology, procedural, training or even disciplinary action. Submit a report to other relevant parties such as Facilities Management.
• Attend to Business specific meetings and ensure OHS requirements are highlighted and addressed and adhered to
• Assist with development and revision of policies, procedures and standards.
• Assist and advise on area specific OHS solutions which include research and development which include the services of technical experts such as SABS and OHS hygienists.
• Ensure that all contractors and service providers comply with the OHS Act by auditing their systems and documentation to ensure that they take responsibility for staff working for them and that they have a valid certificate of good standing and liability insurance with the Compensation Commissioner and a reputable institution.
• Monitor OHS implementation at building sites when required by obtaining and providing information as prescribed by the Construction Regulations which includes the Principal Contractors OHS plan, responsibilities of the principal contractor, appointments, training, agendas and minutes of OHS meeting held, facilities regulations, personal protective equipment etc. Conduct audits of their OHS system, do site inspections and attend site safety meetings when required

Accountability 3 : Process and Procedure Management for OHS

• Manage the Occupational Health & Safety system by sending a notification to Managers and OHS Representatives via the system to start submitting monthly and quarterly reports.
• Monitor, manage and provide guidance to all workplaces pertaining to these processes.
• Send out a final reminder to workplaces that failed to submit monthly and quarterly reports. Obtain final statistics, compile a quarterly report and escalate non-compliance to various stakeholders.
• Assist non-compliant workplaces to become compliant by performing audits, inspections and by providing guidance pertaining to legal appointments of Managers, OHS Representatives, First Aider's, Fire Wardens and Evacuation Leaders and ensure the necessary training is conducted and kept up to date.
• Liaise with Human Resources, Managers, Group Operations and Regional Managers to ensure that OHS teams receive the required training and that workplaces conduct emergency evacuations twice per annum as prescribed by the Act.
• Monitor and manage changes in legislation by receiving changes in legislation and uploading the revised version on the OHS repository (to be established).
• Compile and revise policies and submit to Management for approval.
• Manage OHS queries and specific requirements from business by assessing the risk and to provide guidelines for managing and mitigating the risk.

Accountability 4 : Reports

• Compile monthly and quarterly management reports and submit to Manager.
• Escalate non-compliances such as monthly and quarterly reports not received, appointments not made and outstanding training requirements to the Head of the Department by means of a report.
• Compile ad-hoc reports as requested by management.

Accountability 5 : Providing Solutions to ensure OHS compliance

• Work with various internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance to eliminate or mitigate risks within the Group by providing statistics and reports pertaining to non- compliances and incidents.
• Contribute to align policies, procedures and standards to support the prevalent risk per workplace and premises in accordance with the risk identified.
• Provide guidance and assistance to eliminate or mitigate risks by making use of internal resources, external experts, Local Authorities and Department of Labour approved service providers.
• Be "au-fait" (familiar) with new technology, trends and changes pertaining to OHS matters, to be able to provide business with solutions and remedial action plans and manage same out

Accountability 6 : Communication and Client / Tenant Service

• Be available by means of e-mail, cell phone and office phone to assist business with OHS related matters at any hour, if necessary.
• Provide communication to business and tenants / clients.
• Do inspection to identify problems for business and tenants.
• Attend meetings to ensure that OHS receive the required attention to be compliant as well as industry related workshops and seminars to become aware of latest trends and changes.
• Engage in knowledge sharing with OHS colleagues and peers in the sector to increase productivity and share research with OHS team.
• Assist and guide workplaces/business to become compliant by attending OHS committee meetings and conduct regular follow ups of non–compliant workplaces to ensure that workplaces are up to standard and OHS calls are being closed out

People Investment

• Staff in own area (Manager, Group OHS and peers)
• Staff outside own area
• Customers / tenants
• Regulators / Government local authorities
• Vendors / suppliers
• Other (Industry forums / associations)

Education, Experience and Skills Required

• Advanced knowledge of business operations and project management.
• Competency in electronic business management systems.
• Advanced ability to recommend and implement technical solutions for cross-functional projects.
• Exceptional leadership and mentorship abilities to introduce and implement solutions.
• SAMTRAC / Nebosh / OHS certificate would be advantageous.
• 3 years and more HIRA experience.
• 3 years and more incident and accident investigation management experience.
• Risk Assessment experience and OHS experience up to Auditing level
• 3-5 years' experience in the OHS environment in a medium size institution, preferably in facilities management, property management and construction industry.
• Risk management experience.
• Familiarity with various operating systems and platforms.
• Excellent recordkeeping, as well as written and verbal communication skills.
• Application of Project management and tenants installation methodology.
• Expertise on the Occupational Health & Safety Act and Facilities Regulations.
• Analytical skills to identify occupational risks.
• Advantageous: Sustainability (direct footprint) experience.
• Adhering to principles and values.
• Deciding and initiating action.
• Working with people.
• Adapting and responding to change.
• Adhering to principles and values.
• Writing and reporting