Health and Safety Officer

Description:

The Health and Safety Officer will ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act 85 of 1993) and associated regulations. This will be achieved through routine monitoring of facilities, operational procedures, and all processes involved in delivering research activities at the AHRI Durban and Somkhele campuses, as well as all clinics within the AHRI catchment area, including Ilala and Mtuba Manor.
The H&S Officer will support the H&S Manager by monitoring and reviewing safety across laboratory infrastructures and practices, identifying potential risks, and advising on and implementing appropriate measures to mitigate them

Overview Of Duties:

Management

• Liaise with local and international regulatory bodies to ensure the applicable local and international safety standards for the facilities are met and maintained.
• Regular assessment on status of the facility, practices, and all safety equipment to ensure that they are operational.
• Serve as a second member of the AHRI Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and coordinate quarterly IBC meetings together with the H&S manager as needed
• Serve as the deputy chairman of the Safety Committee and coordinate quarterly meetings and take minutes thereof.
• Plan and execute bi-annual emergency evacuations for the building.
• Conduct and assist with internal investigation of safety issues.
• Assess product, compliance, or operational risks and develop risk management strategies.
• File appropriate safety reports with regulatory agencies.
• Advises line management and assists with the implementation of new or existing SHEQ-related legislation, rules and Company standards to include fire prevention, health and safety awareness training and site inspections.

Administrative

• Maintain updated safety training programmes, documentations and records for AHRI campuses and guesthouses.
• Develop or implement environmental compliance plans for programs, such as air quality, storm water, wastewater treatment, hazardous waste management, pollution prevention, or solid waste management.
• Direct environmental programs, such as air or water compliance, aboveground or underground storage tanks, spill prevention or control, hazardous waste or materials management, solid waste recycling, medical waste management, indoor air quality, integrated pest management, employee training, or disaster preparedness.
• Review or modify policies or operating guidelines to comply with changes to Health, Safety and Environmental standards or regulations.
• Conduct routine safety inspections for hazard identification and ensure immediate implementation of corrective action.
• Assist with risk assessments, root cause analysis and accident investigations.

Training

• Maintain regular and ad hoc training schedules in AHRI.
• Provide general laboratory safety orientation and training to new staff and collaborators.
• Provide specialized trainings and workshops when required. These include BSL-3 laboratory practices, radiation safety and biohazardous/radioactive/chemical waste removal, liquid nitrogen, spills and risk assessment trainings.

Minimum Qualifications

• BSc Hons and/or Safety diploma or equivalent qualification
• Desired qualifications: SAMTRAC, NEBOSH, Disaster management, Environmental qualification

Minimum Experience

• 2 years' experience in a safety environment, lab environment preferred.
• Valid driver's license
• Experience in working with MS Office computer programmes

Skills Required

• Good verbal and written communication skills in English
• Accuracy and precision
• High computer literacy
• Report writing
• Must be able to work under pressure

Knowledge and Desirable attributes

• Knowledge of Health & Safety Act
• Knowledge of the containment features and safety practices in laboratories
• Knowledge of SOP writing and laboratory accreditation processes (experiences in the process preferred)
• Ability to plan and organise work and meet deadlines
• Good administrative skills
• Willingness to learn and be open to continuous improvement
• Must be able to work with minimum supervision
• Must be able to work under pressure
• Can take initiative, can solve problems
• Ability to exercise good judgement and take initiative
• Good interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills in English
• Own transport and valid Driver’s license

Worker Type:

Employee

The Application Closing Date:

16 Oct 2025

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.