JOB TITLE: HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITY DAILY ACTIVITIES

Occupational health and safety officers may
Occupational health and safety officers coordinate perform the following tasks:
health and safety systems in an organisation. They
identify hazards and assess risks to health and
• promote occupational health and safety
safety, put appropriate safety controls in place, and
within the organisation and develop
provides advice on accident prevention and
occupational health to management and employees. safer and healthier ways of working
• inspect and test machinery and
On occasions when accidents do occur, it is the Health and equipment, such as lifting devices,
Safety Officer who leads the investigations, identifies the machine shields and scaffolding, to
causes and advises on improvements in safety standards make sure they meet safety regulations
that need to be made. Safety officers also liaise with other • make sure that personal protective
agencies and internal staff over health and safety issues. equipment, such as dust masks, safety
glasses, footwear and safety helmets, is
being used in workplaces according to
regulations
• make sure that dangerous materials are
correctly stored
• identify and test work areas for potential
accident and health hazards, such as
toxic fumes and explosive gas-air
mixtures, and implement appropriate
control measures
• make sure that the organisation is aware
of, and complies with, all legislation in
relation to the use of its plant,
equipment and substances, as well as in
all workplace activities
• help supervise the investigation of
accidents and unsafe working conditions,
study possible causes and recommend
remedial action
• conduct training sessions for
management, supervisors and workers
on health and safety practices and
legislation
• assist with the rehabilitation of workers
after accidents or injuries and make sure
they experience a satisfactory return to
work
• coordinate emergency procedures, mine
rescues, fire fighting and first aid crews
• communicate frequently with
management to report on the status of
the occupational health and safety
program
• develop occupational health and safety
systems, including policies, procedures
and manuals.
 QUALIFICATION PRE-REQUISITE CAREER DEVELOPMENT
A Health and Safety Officer can progress to
Safety training courses e.g. SHE Q, Safety one of the following occupations:
Representative, Advance Safety Representative and
more advance SAMTREC. • Environmental Health Officer
• Human Resources Officer
• Industrial Relations Officer
• Management Consultant
• Public Servant - Australian Public Service
• Training Officer

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS CHALLENGES

To be a health and safety officer
you'll need to have a wide range of • Management not
skills including: embracing safety and
they do not lead by
example.
• tact and diplomacy; • Require too much time –
• able to work as part of a
becomes difficult to
team;
balance family and work
• able to work
independently • Having to stop a
• integrity and honesty; contractor who is
• Approach every query / task working unsafe.
with an open mind; • Learning different
• Good communication and languages,
negotiation skills; communication.
• Strict with company policy /
Rules and enforcing to work
under the Act of 85 of 1993
regulations
• Energetic and regular site
inspection
• Hard working and enforcing
daily housekeeping at the
workplace;
• persistence and
assertiveness; and

JOB SATISFACTION ADVICE FOR JOB SEEKERS

• Very practical way of life during and after work
• Training and advising top management about If your the type of person who likes to feel important
safety, educating them on how to maintain the (and don't we all!) then the role of Health and Safety
safety files. Officer may be ideal for you. You will be responsible for
• Challenging my supervisor regarding safety on ensuring that safety requirements are met on site. You
site. will also encourage and educate employees to take
• Saving life’s precautions and adhere to safety rules to protect
• Identifying risks before they come or results in themselves and the equipment they use from damage.
This is a very important job in construction.
an accident.
• Interacting with different people
• Team work is important
• Organising safety meetings with varies divisions
 WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Health and Safety Officers is predominantly a

site base job with some time spent in the office
to compile reports etc.

This is definitely not a nine to five job, owing to

having to conduct inspections and
investigations. You also need to travel to
various sites.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING LENGTH OF STUDY

Most new entrants have a BTEC higher national certificate It is advisable to start as a Safety
or diploma (HNC/HND) or a degree. Representative on site and then to gain
experience and develop as a Safety Officer over
It is possible to start in a junior post and work your way up the years. The minimum period being two
to supervisory and management positions with training and years.
experience.