Senior Railway Safety Officer

Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Railway Safety Management System in line with SANS 3000/1, which system shall continuously mitigate railway safety risks and help retain the operator’s safety permit.

Ideal: Degree in safety management or related qualification and 5 years practical experience in the development, implementation, maintenance, and auditing of Railway Safety Management Systems (SMS).

**Position details**:
Type: Permanent
Reports to: Health & Safety Manager
Primary purpose: The development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the company’s Railway Safety Management System in line with SANS 3000/1 and all applicable standards.

Job description / core competencies:

- Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Railway Safety Management System in line with SANS 3000/1, which system shall continuously mitigate railway safety risks and help retain the operator’s safety permit.
- Alignment of Railway Safety Management Systems (SMS) systems with applicable ISO 45001, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards where applicable.
- Undertake compliance monitoring and verification of all Safety Management Systems (SMS) as well as contractor systems of compliance.
- Review and present Training and other safety awareness training to all staff and subcontractor employees.
- Manage on a day-to-day basis Safety Management Systems (SMS) requirements to ensure creation and maintenance of highest levels of railway safety within all controlled and managed railway systems.
- Interact with external parties to ensure that Safety Management Systems (SMS) remain abreast with changes in the field Railway safety.
- Lead and undertake incident and accident investigations as per Incident Management Procedures and relevant legal requirements.
- Ensure effective management of all incidents/accidents including follow up on all corrective and preventive actions.
- Conduct proactive, planned and ad-hoc inspections required to monitor compliance and support those required by various authorities e.g., Fire Departments, DoEL Inspectors, Railway Safety Regulator etc.
- Coordinate, perform and support internal and external Railway Safety Management Systems (SMS) audits.
- Effective management through to closure, of all Railway Safety Management Systems (SMS) non-conformances raised during audits and inspections.
- Participate in EMS meetings, liaison meetings and Gauteng Disaster Management Forum meetings.

**Specific Responsibilities**
- Conduct planned and ad-hoc internal inspections and/or audits and coordinate external inspections and/or audits from external parties.
- Perform Railway Safety Management Systems (SMS) audits and/or other audits in conjunction with other SHERQ staff per annual plan.
- Effectively manage all railway safety related non-conformances raised by RSR Inspectors, legal compliance Auditors, BCC, GMA, and non-conformances raised during internal audits.
- Attend Project Quarterly Liaison Meetings as and when required.
- Attend and participate in monthly SHE Committee Meetings, PEC, SHERQ Meetings, Traffic Safety Meetings as well as other planned EMS Liaison Meetings.
- Coordinate and assist in presenting emergency evacuation training to all staff as well as interaction with EMS teams regarding Gautrain Emergency Reviews/simulations, drills and visits to the system.
- Review emergency plans, organise and lead railway emergency drills.
- Manage all day-to-day interactions with RSR including:Scheduling meetings with RSR and relevant Gautrain entities in case of new works projects or remedial works.

Arrange and coordinate liaison meetings.
Follow up on all matters raised at liaison meetings and ensure that all such matters are closed by relevant Managers on time.
Make proactive follow-ups on all RSR related matters.
Ensure that all audits and inspections are properly scheduled, all corrective actions are closed, etc.
Arrange investigation of all railway occurrences.
Interact with Service Delivery and Maintenance staff regarding adequate closure of all reported occurrences.
Attend all occurrence investigations and where required, lead occurrence investigations.
Review the Railway Safety Management Systems (SMS) to ensure safe operations and maintenance of Gautrain.
Develop and implement programs to ensure compliance with all railway safety systems.
Conduct railway safety awareness sessions with relevant staff members to ensure full understanding of Railway Safety Management Systems (SMS), legal, and standards requirements applicable to their jobs.
Establish programs to instil a culture of railway safety consciousness amongst the safety critical and safety related staff.
Undertake internal safety audits and coordinate all external safety audits.
Initiate and/or coordinate emergency drills/simulations as per the plans discussed and approved by SHERQ Executive
Align railway safety programs with RATP Dev railway safety strategies, and coordinate i