Workplace Health and Safety Specialist

**Job Description**:
The purpose of the Workplace Health and Safety Specialist is to ensure compliance of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, Policies, Regulations and other relevant legislation, keeping all company records as regulated by the OHS Act and sets and directs the Workplace Health Programme.

**You will engage with the following stakeholders**:
**Internal**
- Internal Stakeholders

**External**
- Suppliers
- Contractors
- The Department of Labour (DoL)

**Your key responsibilities include**:

- Ensures the implementation of the Occupation Health and Safety Act and Regulation requirements throughout the Organisation
- Serve as the section16(2) signatory in terms of the OHS Act
- Develops, implements and maintains Occupational Health and Safety Program that effectively assesses and manages risks which includes but is not limited to:

- Develop methods to predict hazards
- Uncover patterns in injury data
- Evaluate probability and severity of accidents
- Prepares root-cause analysis reports with identification of causal factors and recommended corrective actions.
- Conducts cost-benefit analysis of safety programs.
- Evaluating employee work tasks and activities through risk assessments and workplace monitoring to determine appropriate solutions to protect employees from potential workplace hazards.
- Identifies trends in workplace injuries to better focus safety inspections and training efforts
- Researches and recommends resolution of safety hazards through engineering controls, work practices, administrative controls and personal protective equipment.
- Directs the investigation of workplace accidents/injuries and near-misses.
- Administer and compile reports on claims made by employees in terms of the OHS Act relating to injuries on duty by assisting employees who get injured on duty in completing their claim documentation in terms of the Act in a timely and appropriate manner
- Ensure that all injury on duty cases are reported to the Compensation Commissioner (DoL)
- Ensures the management of worker’s compensation claims.
- Reduces workers’ compensation claims and associated costs through the prevention of workplace accident/injuries.
- Coordinates with various departments to ensure that projects meet safety requirements during the design phase and are maintained through the build and operation phases. Ensures that hazards, controls and mitigation techniques are discussed and resolved at the beginning of a project.
- Oversees the implementation of corrective of safety training classes (both classroom and field) for new and current employees in general industry safety and hygiene practices
- Ensures fire and safety audits are conducted of the facilities and work practices for safety risks and compiles reports and makes recommendations for corrective action in respect thereof
- Motivates employees through the development and administration of safety recognition programs and behavior-based safety
- Resolves employee concerns related to the safety of particular tasks or locations
- Participates in, develops and supports the Health and Safety Committee and work safety teams.
- Manages and supervises Health & Safety representatives (include fire fighters and first aiders) personnel by setting performance standards and evaluating performance, coaching and providing on-the-job instruction and maintaining discipline.
- Makes recommendations for safety improvements.
- Ensures the timely completion of reports and assigned projects
- Develops, maintains and implements a workplace health program that create awareness, motivation and provides tools to employees that help them adapt and maintain a well-rounded healthy lifestyle and reduce health risks
- Chairs and implements a Workplace Health program Committee.
- Works with vendors and collaborate with Human Capital to administer workplace health programs
- Drafts employee communications with respect to workplace health programs to provide continued education
- Keep abreast of current national wellness and wellbeing initiatives and activities
- Assist with monitoring OHS regulatory requirements and complete Compliance Risk Management Plan (CRMP)

**QUALIFICATION / KNOWLEDGE**
- Appropriate degree or diploma in Health and Safety
- Proficiency in MS Office
- Problem solving and report writing skills

**EXPERIENCE**
- Minimum 4 -5 years’ experience in Occupational Health and Safety environment.
- An understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations, municipal by-laws and the SANS Codes of practice.