Occupational Hygienist - Kathu at Anglo American

Purpose

Safeguard the well-being of mining personnel by systematically assessing, monitoring, and mitigating occupational health hazards to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment

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 VFLs, Risk Assessments and close-out of Safety Actions

Performance and Delivery

• Contribute to designing and implementing comprehensive hygiene programs based on evaluation findings.
• Identify and assess potential health hazards in the mining environment, such as exposure to dust, chemicals, noise, and vibration.
• Conduct air sampling to measure the levels of airborne contaminants, including dust, gases, and vapours, to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations.
• Monitor and assess noise levels generated by mining operations to identify potential risks to hearing health. This involves using specialised equipment like sound level meters.
• Assess and monitor workers' exposure to hazardous chemicals in mining processes. This includes sampling and analysing substances to determine their concentration in the air or on surfaces.
• Evaluate workplace ergonomics to identify and address factors contributing to musculoskeletal disorders and injuries among mining workers.
• Examine and evaluate the effectiveness of ventilation systems within the mining operation to ensure proper air exchange and control of airborne contaminants.
• Assess the use of PPE among mining workers and ensure they are provided with and adequately using the appropriate protective gear for their specific tasks.
• Collaborate with other health and safety professionals within the mining company, such as safety engineers, industrial hygienists, and occupational health specialists, to address broader safety concerns and develop comprehensive risk mitigation strategies.
• Provide training to mining workers on occupational hygiene practices, safety protocols, and the correct use of personal protective equipment.
• Ensure compliance with relevant occupational health and safety regulations, standards, and industry best practices.
• Analyze collected data and prepare comprehensive reports detailing occupational hygiene findings, recommendations, and strategies for improvement.
• Continuously assess and improve occupational hygiene programs based on evolving industry standards, technological advancements, and lessons learned from incidents or near misses.
• Attend technical committee meetings to embed the management of hygiene risks, such as ergonomics and health stressors (e.g., vibration, dust, noise, illumination).
• Prepare and submit statutory DMR reports.
• Maintain the hazardous chemical register.
• Maintain compliance with mandatory codes of practice
  •  Occupational Health Program for Noise
  •  Occupational Health Program for Thermal Stress
  •  Occupational Health Program for Exposure to Airborne Pollutants

Qualifications:

• National Diploma in Occupational Hygiene or Environmental Health Sciences (NQF6)
• B Degree in Occupational Hygiene or Environmental Health Sciences – Preferred
• SA Drivers Licence
• Advanced Certificate in Mine and Environmental Control (ACMEC) and Mine Ventilation Society (MVS) registration
• Registration with SA Institute of Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH) as an Occupational Hygienist
• Intermediate Certificate in Mine and Environmental Control (MEC) and Mine Ventilation Society (MVS) registration

Experience
Technical Knowledge

• Current technical understanding, with 3 – 5 years operational experience in Occupational Hygiene.
• Key value drivers within the discipline's value chain and interdependence of critical levers.
• Principles of how operational processes are classified according to the
• Operating Model, focusing on Work Management.
• Project management fundamentals.
• New technologies and their impact on operational activities within the scope of the role.
• Business improvement tools and techniques.
• Business acumen and commercial drivers of site performance.
• Basic financial metrics and budgeting tools.
• Risk management techniques and critical controls.
• Leadership tools for implementing a culture of purpose-led highperformance and change.
• AA Organization Model concepts and principles.
• Safety, health and environment, legislative, statutory, and regulatory requirements