Safety Specialist (Blending, Shipping, Tanks & Projects) at MECS (Pty) Ltd

• An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Safety Specialist to provide expert Occupational Health and Safety stewardship across blending, shipping, tanks and capital projects within a complex refinery environment.
• This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Construction Regulations and applicable HSE standards, while driving safety excellence across Operations, Maintenance and project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on HSE leadership and safety stewardship across refinery operations, maintenance and project sites.
• Ensure compliance with the OHS Act, Construction Regulations and applicable HSE requirements.
• Support Project Managers with construction work permits, contractor appointments and H&S Agent requirements.
• Conduct site inspections, safety walks, job observations, risk assessments and hazard identification activities.
• Monitor contractor compliance with HSE and construction standards across tanks and capital projects.
• Lead and support incident investigations, emergency response and corrective action implementation.
• Prepare project HSE documentation, weekly and monthly reports, and safety performance updates.
• Drive Loss Prevention System (LPS) stewardship, including field observations, Stop Work Authority, LPOs and hazard reporting.
• Conduct employee and contractor inductions and participate in project progress and safety meetings.
• Identify unsafe conditions, address deviations and provide practical safety coaching to stakeholders.
• Analyse safety data, identify trends and recommend continuous improvement initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree in Environmental Health, Safety Management or an equivalent qualification.
• 5+ years’ operational experience in Occupational Health and Safety or Compliance.
• Must be SACPCMP registered
• SAMTRAC certification.
• Experience in hazard identification, risk assessment and incident investigation.
• Construction industry experience will be an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of OHS legislation, safety procedures and compliance requirements.
• Experience with safety management systems and HSE reporting.
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Assertive, analytical and self-motivated, with a strong sense of urgency.
• High level of professionalism, integrity and commitment to safety excellence.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and relevant HSE systems.

The Ideal Candidate

• A proactive and solutions-driven HSE professional who can influence safety performance in the field, engage confidently with Operations, Maintenance, Project Managers and contractors, and ensure that safety remains a core priority throughout refinery and project activities.