Occupational Health & Safety Officer (Fixed-Term Contract - 6 Months) at Huntswood

Role Overview

• The Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Officer is responsible for ensuring a safe, healthy, and legally compliant working environment across five operational sites, comprising four sites in Durban and one site in Cape Town. The role supports the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of health and safety standards, policies, procedures, and practices to protect employees, contractors, visitors, and company assets.
• The OHS Officer will provide operational oversight of health and safety compliance through regular site inspections, risk assessments, audits, incident investigations, and the management of corrective actions. The role is accountable for maintaining statutory compliance records, monitoring contractor compliance, and ensuring that all facilities operate in accordance with applicable legislation and company standards.
• Working closely with operational leaders and facilities teams, the OHS Officer will drive a proactive health and safety culture through training initiatives, emergency preparedness programmes, safety awareness campaigns, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Key Responsibilities

Health & Safety Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable Occupational Health & Safety legislation, regulations, and company standards across all operational sites.
• Monitor adherence to workplace health and safety policies, procedures, and safe working practices.
• Maintain statutory compliance documentation, registers, certificates, permits, and records.
• Keep management informed of legislative changes and compliance obligations.

Audits, Inspections & Risk Management

• Conduct routine site inspections, workplace audits, and risk assessments across all locations.
• Identify hazards and implement corrective and preventative measures to minimise risk.
• Monitor the completion of corrective actions and ensure closure within agreed timeframes.
• Track and report on safety performance indicators and compliance metrics.

Incident Management

• Investigate workplace incidents, accidents, injuries, and near misses.
• Prepare detailed reports identifying root causes and corrective actions.
• Ensure incidents are reported and escalated within prescribed timelines.
• Support management in implementing measures to prevent recurrence.

Training & Safety Culture

• Deliver health and safety inductions for new employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Facilitate toolbox talks, safety workshops, and awareness campaigns.
• Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout the organisation.
• Provide practical guidance and support to managers and employees on safety-related matters.

Emergency Preparedness

• Coordinate emergency response procedures across all sites.
• Plan and conduct regular fire evacuation drills and emergency exercises.
• Ensure emergency equipment and evacuation plans remain up to date and fit for purpose.
• Support site emergency response teams and first aid programmes.

Contractor Management

• Monitor contractor compliance with company health and safety requirements.
• Review contractor risk assessments, method statements, and safety documentation.
• Ensure contractors operate safely and in line with site-specific regulations.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Produce accurate monthly health and safety reports for management.
• Analyse health and safety trends and recommend improvement initiatives.
• Support business-wide health and safety projects and compliance programmes.
• Drive initiatives aimed at reducing incidents, hazards, and lost-time injuries.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• National Diploma or Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Safety Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in an Occupational Health & Safety role.
• Experience managing health and safety compliance across multiple sites.
• Strong understanding of Occupational Health & Safety legislation and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace inspections, risk assessments, audits, and incident investigations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong report writing, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable

• SAMTRAC or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
• First Aid and Fire Warden certification.
• Experience within a contact centre, BPO, corporate office, or multi-site operational environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Maintain full compliance with applicable OHS legislation and company standards.
• Complete monthly site inspections, audits, and risk assessments within agreed timelines.
• Achieve timely closure of corrective and preventative actions.
• Ensure all incidents, accidents, and near misses are investigated and reported within required timeframes.
• Deliver health and safety inductions, toolbox talks, and training sessions as scheduled.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date statutory records and compliance documentation.
• Successfully coordinate and execute emergency drills across all sites.
• Ensure contractor compliance with all site safety requirements.
• Drive continuous reduction in workplace hazards, incidents, and lost-time injuries.
• Deliver accurate monthly health and safety performance reports and recommendations.