Occupational Hygiene Officer at Tharisa

Role Context

Occupational Hygiene Hazard Measurement and Management

• Measure and assess stressors such as heat, cold, dust, etc., in accordance with DMPR guidelines, to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and corporate standards, maintaining a specified percentage of compliance.
• Conduct regular monitoring of workplace conditions, including air quality, noise levels, dust, and chemical exposure, to ensure compliance with South African regulations and industry standards.
• Collect and document samples of air, water, dust, and chemicals for laboratory analysis, and maintain accurate records sample collection, storage, and transportation.
• Identifying and evaluating health risks associated with workplace tasks, equipment and chemical agents, collaborating with the Occupational Hygienist to address the identified hazards.
• Manage and control occupational hygiene hazards within the workplace, to minimise the risk of occupational illnesses and incidents.
• Monitor the implement engineering controls by ensuring the proper functioning of ventilation systems, dust control measures, and other engineering solutions, to reduce exposure to workplace hazards.
• Provide employees with necessary information, including measurement results and incident explanations, by helping them minimise occupational hygiene hazards and address incidents such as broken windows, to empower employees to actively participate in hazard reduction, resulting in a safer workplace with fewer incidents, provide guidance on best practices for their job roles.
• Monitor the effectiveness of exposure controls on-site (e.g., noise and dust), by implementing changes when controls are ineffective, to maintain effective exposure controls, preventing incidents and health risks.
• Perform occupational health risk assessments for different work areas, in collaboration with various departments, to identify and mitigate health risks across various work areas, resulting in a healthier and safer working environment.
• Identify risks and controls within the potable water quality program, in collaboration with contractors, to monitor and manage water quality and report to engineering for technical insights.
• Co-develop and follow a comprehensive occupational hygiene management schedule, guided by Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and annual planning on how to conduct surveys to identify and manage chemical, physical, ergonomic, biological, and psychological hazards in the workplace, so as to consistently monitor and manage stressors in the workplace, leading to a decrease in occupational health hazards.
• Provide support in the development and maintenance of emergency response plans, by participate in drills and exercises, to test emergency procedures for incidents involving occupational health hazards.
• Recommend strategies to manage personal protective equipment (PPE), by addressing quality and quantity control and determining who requires specific PPE and when, to ensure the right PPE is provided to the right individuals at the right time, enhancing employee safety and comfort.
• Oversee and monitor contractors, by reporting on the fulfilment of agreed duties to the Occupational Hygienist, to ensure that contractors meet safety standards, reducing the risk of incidents and health hazards.
• Provide support to subsidiary sites, including travel when necessary, to extend best practices and safety measures to subsidiary sites, promoting a culture of safety across the organisation.
• Conduct on-field occupational hygiene investigations as necessary, providing support and opportunities for upskilling the Tharisa Minerals (TM) workforce, to reduce the impact of incidents and hazards.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of training and awareness programs for employees regarding occupational health hazards and safe practices, to educate employees on the proper use of protective measures and equipment.

Equipment Calibration

• Calibrate and maintain monitoring equipment, by addressing any equipment malfunctions or discrepancies, to ensure accurate measurements.
• Coordinate and calibrate occupational hygiene measurement equipment, with a primary focus on quantitative surveys, to ensure all equipment is adequately maintained for accurate and reliable measurements.

Audits and Reporting

• Provide support to the Occupational Hygienist by conducting on-site visits and answering questions during external audits, to successfully pass external audits and assessments, demonstrating a commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct audits related to hazardous materials, including chemical storage, conditions, and material safety data sheets, to ensure compliance with procedures for incoming chemicals, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Audit and monitor the proper usage of PPE, providing guidance on correct PPE usage to enhance employee safety through proper PPE usage, reducing injuries and incidents.
• Provide data for clinic audits and define the procedures for medical surveillance, by coordinating with external providers, to ensure proper medical surveillance, addressing employee health needs and compliance with medical requirements.
• Report on all hazard monitoring results, by analysing data and preparing written scientific reports for the Occupational Hygienist after each survey, to facilitate data-driven decision-making and maintain legal and corporate compliance.
• Prepare reports and documentation related to occupational health hazards as required, to maintain accurate and organised data related to exposure monitoring, assessments, and sample results.

Resource Management

• Determine resource needs within own area of responsibility to achieve individual role outcomes.
• Request required assets and resources for the fulfilment of work duties to attain quality work outputs.
• Use assets and resources optimally within own area of responsibility.

Stakeholder Relations

• Engage with all relevant Departments on issues of the area of specialisation, as directed by the Manager.
• Communicate with internal and/or external stakeholders, where required, to achieve work objectives and to maintain relationships.
• Foster cooperation and teamwork between maintenance and production personnel regarding occupational hygiene matters, by explain findings and their implications for other departments, to foster a culture of safety and collaboration, resulting in a more effective response to hazards and improved overall workplace safety.
• Attend Minerals Council meetings when the Occupational Hygienist is unavailable, so as to represent TM's commitment to occupational hygiene and safety at all council meetings.

Compliance Management

• Stay informed about local and international occupational hygiene regulations and legislation, to apply the appropriate legal framework as required for specific situations.
• Provide support to the Occupational Hygienist by participating in audits and inspections related to occupational hygiene, to ensure compliance with South African occupational health and safety regulations and industry-specific requirements.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Grade 12 (NQF4)
• Degree (NQF7) in Occupational Hygiene, Environmental Health or related field within the mining or other relevant industry
• Advantageous: Honours (NQF8) in Occupational Hygiene, Environmental Health or related field within the mining or other relevant industry
• Registered as an Occupational Hygiene Technologist with the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH)
• Intermediate Certificate in Mine Environmental Control
• Legal Knowledge Certificate for Occupational Hygiene

Certifications:

• Legal Liability Training (Advantageous)
• ISO 19001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 Auditing Certificate (Advantageous)
• Incident/Accident Investigation Training (Advantageous)
• HIRA/Risk Management certificate (Advantageous)
• Hazard Identification certificate (Advantageous)

Job-specific experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years’ technical experience in Occupational Health and/or SHE within the mining or similar industry.