Occupational Health Practitioner - Kathu at Anglo American

Purpose

Safeguard workplace health and safety by conducting comprehensive assessments of occupational hygiene equipment and regularly maintaining them.

Your duties will include:

Safety, Health, and Environment

• Adhere to all safety, health and environmental practices and requirements.
• SHE policies and procedures:
• Escalate all unsafe practices or risks to the direct supervisor/manager.
• Support good housekeeping in the department and on-site to ensure compliance.
• Active participation in SLAMs, HPHs, relevant Risk Assessments and close-out of Safety Actions.
• Performance and Delivery

Equipment Maintenance:

• Ensure monitoring equipment correctly functions and produces reliable and accurate data by regularly maintaining and calibrating instruments.
• Follow manufacturer guidelines and schedules to adjust and calibrate monitoring instruments to a known standard for precise and reliable measurements.
• Conduct routine checks and preventive maintenance on monitoring equipment to identify and address potential issues before they affect the instrument's performance.
• Regularly clean monitoring equipment, especially in environments with high dust, chemicals, or other contaminants, to maintain measurement accuracy and prevent contamination.
• Ensure batteries are functioning correctly, replace them as needed, and follow proper disposal procedures for used batteries to keep monitoring equipment powered.
• Verify the accuracy of monitoring instruments' sensitivity, responsiveness, and functionality checks to ensure the accuracy of detecting and measuring workplace contaminants.
• Replace filters at appropriate intervals to maintain the effectiveness of the sampling process in air sampling devices that collect particulate matter for analysis
• Verify the accuracy of data logging functions in instruments with data logging capabilities, ensuring that recorded data aligns with real-time measurements.
• Ensure software is up to date in monitoring devices that come with software, addressing bugs or compatibility issues, and taking advantage of new features or improvements.
• Maintain detailed records of equipment maintenance activities, including calibration dates, cleaning schedules, and any repairs or adjustments for compliance with quality assurance standards and audit requirements.
• Store monitoring instruments appropriately to prevent damage when not in use, such as storing them in protective cases, avoiding extreme temperatures or humidity, and ensuring they are stored securely

Occupational Hygiene Support (when required):

• Conduct air sampling to measure the levels of various contaminants such as dust, gases, vapours, and other airborne substances in the workplace.
• Monitor and assess noise levels in the workplace to identify potential risks to hearing health. This may involve using specialised equipment such as sound level meters.
• Assess and monitor workers' exposure to hazardous chemicals by sampling and analysing substances to determine their concentration in the air or on surfaces.
• Evaluate workplace ergonomics to identify and mitigate factors that could lead to musculoskeletal disorders or injuries.
• Examine and evaluate the effectiveness of ventilation systems to ensure proper air exchange and control of contaminants.
• Evaluate the use of PPE and ensure that workers are provided with and adequately using the appropriate protective gear for their tasks.
• Collaborate with other health and safety professionals, such as industrial hygienists, safety engineers, and occupational health specialists, to address broader safety concerns and contribute to developing comprehensive risk mitigation strategies.
• Respond to emergencies related to occupational hazards, such as chemical spills or exposure incidents, and implement appropriate emergency procedures

Qualifications:

• National Certificate in Occupational Hygiene (NQF5)
• Certificate in Basic Principles in Occupational Hygiene (OHTA) – Preferred
• SA Drivers Licence
• Registration with the Southern African Institute of Occupational Hygienists (SAIOH) / Passed Practical in Mine Environmental Control, Chamber of Mines.

Experience
Technical Knowledge

• Current technical understanding, with two years of operational experience in Occupational Hygiene.
• Ability to operate monitoring instruments and sampling equipment accurately.
• Data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Identifying hazards and developing practical solutions to mitigate risks.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Time and resource management abilities.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing work environments and regulations.
• Proficiency in maintaining accurate records and using relevant software.
• Willingness to stay updated on industry trends and advancements.
• Commitment to ethical conduct and confidentiality.
• Capability to respond effectively to emergencies.