OHS Consultant and system administration at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

Overall Job Purpose: 

 The implementation, monitoring and auditing of Health and Safety within the Absa Group as well as monitoring an implementation of system related matters on the OHS system application.

Job Description

Accountability 1

OHS system

• Create new user accounts
• Monitor performance and maintain systems according to requirements
• Troubleshoot issues and outages
• Upgrade systems with new releases and models
• Develop expertise to train staff on new technologies
• Build an internal process with technical documentation, manuals and user scripts
• Applying subject expertise in evaluating business operations and processes.
• Identifying areas where technical solutions would improve business performance.
• Consulting across business operations, providing mentorship, and contributing specialized knowledge.
• Recommending technical solutions and determining software development requirements.
• Providing subject expertise and guidance to IT developers during the software development life cycle.
• Overseeing the development, testing, and implementation of technical solutions.
• Determining whether technical solutions meet defined requirements.
• Verifying technical reference information, including user guides, training manuals, and system requirements.
• Ensuring accurate representation of expertise prior to the distribution of technical solutions to end-users.
• Documenting processes and disseminating information to all relevant stakeholders.

Accountability 2

Risk management - Ensure OHS compliance

• Monitor   the   Occupational   Health   and   Safety (OHS) standards   and   management information system (MIS) by obtaining monthly reports from all Absa workplaces. Assist workplaces to become compliant by sending reminders of information that is still outstanding and escalate non-compliance to the OHS Manager and Regional Managers.
• Liaise with Business Units by providing expert opinions, advice and recommendations pertaining to the OHS Act and COID (Compensation of Injuries and Diseases on duty).
• Engage with various internal Business Units as CRES, Regional Operations and Learning & Development to ensure participation and elimination of occupational health and safety risks. 
• Provide input and recommendations pertaining to revision of training material.
• Conduct site inspections and investigations (e.g., injuries on duty) to identify OHS risk related non-compliances and to ensure procedural compliance by staff and contractors. Submit reports on findings.  Attend inspection/inquiries held by the Department of Labour.
• Conduct OHS audits and proactive inspections and report on findings with appropriate recommendations to enhance OHS compliance, which could include, technology, procedural, training or even disciplinary action. Submit a report to the workplace and other relevant parties.
• Attend to Business specific meetings and ensure OHS requirements are highlighted and addressed.
• Assist with development and revision of policies, procedures and standards.
• Assist and advise Business on area specific OHS solutions which include research and development which include the services of technical experts as SABS and OHS hygienists.
• Maintain the OHS SharePoint to create continual OHS awareness.
• Ensure that all contractors and service providers comply with the OHS Act by auditing their system to ensure that they take responsibility for staff working for them and that they have a valid certificate of good standing with the Compensation Commissioner.
• Monitor OHS implementation at building sites by obtaining and providing information as prescribed by the Construction Regulations which includes the Principal Contractors OHS plan, responsibilities of the principal contractor, appointments, training, agendas of OHS meeting held, facilities regulations, personal protective equipment etc. Conduct audits of their OHS system, do site inspections and attend site safety meetings.

Accountability 3

Process and Procedure Management for OHS

• Manage the Occupational Health & Safety system by sending a notification to Managers and OHS Representatives via the OHS system to start submitting monthly and quarterly reports.
• Monitor, manage and provide guidance to all Absa workplaces pertaining to this process.
• Send out a final reminder to workplaces that failed to submit monthly and quarterly reports. Obtain final statistics, compile a quarterly report and escalate non-compliance to various stakeholders.
• Assist non-compliant workplaces to become compliant by performing audits, inspections and by providing guidance pertaining to appointment of Managers, OHS Representatives, First Aider's, Fire Wardens and Evacuation Leaders.
• Liaise   with   Learning   &   Development, Managers, Group   Operations   and   Regional Managers to ensure that OHS teams receive the required training and that workplaces conduct emergency evacuations twice per annum as prescribed by National Building Regulations.
• Monitor and manage changes in legislation by receiving changes in legislation and uploading the revised version on the OHS SharePoint.
• Compile and revise policies and submit to Manager for approval.
• Manage OHS queries and specific requirements from business by assessing the risk and to provide guidelines for managing the applicable risk.

Accountability 4

Reports

• Compile monthly and quarterly management reports and submit to Manager.
• Escalate non compliances such as monthly and quarterly reports not received, appointments not made and outstanding training requirements to Regional Managers and General Managers by means of a report.
• Compile ad-hoc reports as requested by management.

Providing Solutions to ensure OHS compliance

• Work with various internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance to eliminate or mitigate risks within the Absa Group. By providing statistics and reports pertaining to non- compliances and incidents.
• Contribute to align policies, procedures and standards to support the prevalent risk per workplace in accordance with the risk identified.
• Provide guidance and assistance to eliminate or mitigate risks by making use of internal resources, external experts, Local Authorities and Department of Employment and Labour approved service providers.
• Be “au-fait” (familiar) with new technology, trends and changes pertaining to OHS matters, to be able to provide business with solutions.

Accountability 5

Communication and Client Service

• Be available by means of e-mail, cell phone and office phone to assist business with OHS related matters.
• Provide communication to business on SharePoint and Workplace.
• Do inspection on request business to solve problems as identified by business.
• Attend meetings to ensure that OHS receive the required attention to be compliant as well as industry related workshops and seminars to become aware of latest trends and changes.
• Engage in knowledge sharing with OHS colleagues and peers in this sector which will increase productivity as less time will be spent on research and the OHS team will be on the same page.
• Assist and guide workplaces/business to become compliant by attending OHS committee meetings and conduct regular follow ups of non–compliant workplaces to ensure that workplaces are up to standard.

People Investment

Role / Person Specification

Education and Experience Required

System:

• Advanced knowledge of business operations and project management.
• Competency in electronic business management systems.
• Advanced ability to recommend and implement technical solutions for cross-functional projects.
• Knowledge of systems and software engineering to optimally integrate subject expertise in software solution designs.
• Exceptional leadership and mentorship abilities to introduce and implement technical solutions.
• SAMTRAC / Nebosh / OHS certificate would be advantageous
• 3 years and more HIRA experience
• 3 years and more incident and accident investigation management experience
• Risk Assessment experience and OHS experience up to Auditing level
• 3-5 years’ experience in the OHS environment in a major institution, preferably in banking industry or construction industry.
• Risk management experience

Knowledge & Skills: (Maximum of 6)

System:

• Familiarity with various operating systems and platforms
• Excellent recordkeeping, as well as written and verbal communication skills.
• Analytical skills to identify technology related risk
• Application of Project management methodology
• Good knowledge of the Occupational Health & Safety Act
• Analytical skills to identify occupational risks
• Competencies: (Maximum of 8 competencies)

System:

• Strong technical understanding of information systems
• Working with people
• Adhering to principles and values
• Deciding and initiating action
• Working with people
• Adapting and responding to change
• Adhering to principles and values
• Writing and reporting

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)