Occupational Health and Safety Officer

**JOB SPECIFICATION**

**POSITION**:
**OHS OFFICER**

**OVERVIEW**:
Health and Safety Officer is responsible for tasks such as: Developing, implementing, and improving the health and safety plans, programmes, and procedures in the workplace. Ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety legislation. Identifying OHS-related training needs in the workplace.

**ROLES AND RESPONSIBLITIES**:

- Implement, and maintain HSE policies, procedures, and programs to ensure compliance with legislation.
- Conduct workplace inspections, to identify non-compliance issues, and implement corrective actions.
- Do regular internal audits and compile reports.
- Identify potential hazards in the workplace, providing recommendations for preventative measures and conduct risk assessments for various departments.
- Check risk assessments documents and review when required.
- Ensure that risk assessment recommendations are communicated and implemented.
- Monitor work processes and procedures to identify unsafe practices and provide recommendations.
- Provide expert advice and guidance to management and employees on OHS matters.
- Deliver training / briefing sessions to enhance employee awareness and understanding of OHS procedures, hazards, and best practices.
- Conduct thorough incident and accident investigations, using organizations forms.
- Identify root causes of incidents and develop corrective action plans to prevent recurrence.
- Stay up to date with relevant HSE regulations and industry standards and ensure timely compliance with any changes.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation related to OHS activities.
- Keep departmental OHS files.
- Add documents to files pertaining to organograms, appointments, training and competence.
- Soft copies of documents should be kept on computer and backed-up
- Assist in the development and implementation of emergency response plans and conduct drills to test their effectiveness.
- Training: Liaise with Ohs Manager regarding booking of training
- Ensuring that health and safety representatives and other OHS appointees are adequately trained and that their certifications are updated.
- Ensuring that forklift trainings are done every second year before certificates expire.
- Ensure that OHS appointments are done and signed off after OHS-related training certificates are received.
- Ensure that injured persons/employees are sent for medical treatment, with the correct documentation.
- Coordinate HSE committee meetings and provide minutes to all role players.
- Deal with external Occupational Health and Safety inspections.
- Handle Department of Labour OHS inspections, ensure findings are tracked and closed.
- Report serious incidents to relevant authorities, when required.
- Drive PPE compliance.
- Inspect premises and the work of personnel to identify issues or non-conformity (e.g. not using protective equipment)
- Discipline: Overseeing of non-conformances for OHS-related offences.
- Ensure that external contractors doing work on the premises receive OHS induction on arrival, and comply with construction regulations.
- Oversee waste removal, with particular attention to the safe disposal of hazardous waste.
- Oversee, provide content, and attend toolbox talks.
- Ensure that OHS inductions are done for visitors and new employees.
- Capture accident claims on the relevant workman’s compensation sites.
- Get first, progress and final reports from injured employees and send to DOL.
- Handle worker’s compensation claims.
- Investigate causes of injuries
- Arrange occupational medicals for all relevant employees, ensuring that certificates of fitness are kept up to date, and that medical service providers’ recommendations are followed.
- Implementation of ergonomics principles
- Arranging of inspections relating to dangerous goods, noise, air and lighting
- Monthly reporting of OHS matters to OHS Manager for management meeting.
- Inform 16.2 managers of all OHS-related issues in their departments.
- REQUIREMENTS:

- Min 2 years’ experience in the role of an OHS Officer
- Min 3 years’ experience in OHS in an FMCG industry.
- Qualification in OHS, or environmental health sciences or higher
- Ability to diagnose problems quickly and foresee potential issues.
- Outstanding verbal and written skills, and experience working with staff on all levels.
- Excellent knowledge of legislation and procedures
- Experience with writing policies and procedures for health and safety.
- Microsoft Office
- Excellent knowledge of potentially hazardous materials or practices
- Working knowledge of safety management information system
- Outstanding organizational skill

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent