Health And Safety Officer

Prefered skills

Health & Safety, Safety Management Systems, Events, Management, Attention to Detail, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Occupational Health, Emergency Management, Construction Site Inspections, Safety Compliance

Job description

Position: Occupational Health and Safety Officer
Location: Gallagher Convention Centre
Department: Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)
Reporting to: Health & Safety Manager
Employment Type: Full-time

Role OverviewWe are seeking a highly organised and proactive Occupational Health and Safety Officer to ensure the health, safety, and regulatory compliance of all clients, guests, employees, contractors, and service providers at Gallagher Convention Centre.
This role is critical in a high-volume events environment and requires strong operational discipline, regulatory knowledge, and the ability to manage safety across exhibitions, conferences, and large-scale public events.

Key Responsibilities
Occupational Health & Safety Compliance

Ensure full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and all applicable regulations.
Conduct daily, weekly, monthly, and ad hoc safety inspections across exhibition halls, function venues, waste management areas, fire escapes, fire equipment, and first aid facilities.
Identify hazards, implement corrective actions, and escalate deviations promptly.
Stop unsafe acts or processes immediately where non-compliance is identified.

Incident Investigation & Management

Investigate and report all incidents involving staff, delegates, visitors, and contractors.
Compile incident reports, take witness statements, and submit documentation to management and relevant stakeholders.
Coordinate onsite medical response, emergency evacuations, COID (WCL.2) documentation, and liaison with HR and medical service providers.

Event Safety & Planning

Review and approve exhibition and conference floor plans from a safety perspective.
Compile comprehensive event safety files for submission to City Joint Operations Committee (JOC), SAPS, EMS, and Fire Department.
Present events at City JOC when required.
Ensure all Certificates of Compliance, risk assessments, emergency plans, and public liability documentation are obtained and filed.

Proactive Safety Management

Coordinate fire drills and simulation exercises with EMS, Disaster Management, and onsite medics.
Conduct regular safety walkabouts and inspections to identify unsafe work practices.
Chair or support Health & Safety meetings, take minutes, and track actions to completion.

Contractor & Supplier Compliance

Ensure all contractors and service providers comply with HSE requirements and Service Level Agreements.
Verify and manage supplier compliance documentation, including COID, public liability, tax clearance, and B-BBEE certificates.
Liaise with security, cleaning, waste management, fire services, and medical providers.

Regulatory & Certificate Management

Manage and monitor expiry and renewal of:
COID Letter of Good Standing
Public Liability Insurance
Liquor Licence
Fire Compliance Certificates
Electrical, lift, generator, and evacuation equipment compliance
Food Safety, Halaal, Flammable Substances, Medical Fitness, and Venue Grading Certificates
Maintain accurate HSE records and inspection files.

Administration & Reporting

Manage all Health & Safety department administration.
Maintain inspection checklists, compliance files, budgets, and reporting dashboards.
Support procurement processes, quotations, purchase orders, and budget consolidation.

Minimum Requirements

National Diploma or Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Safety Management, or related field.
SAMTRAC, NEBOSH, or equivalent certification (advantageous).
Minimum 35 years experience in a high-risk or high-volume operational environment (events, hospitality, facilities, or construction preferred).
Strong knowledge of South African OHS legislation, COID, fire safety, and emergency management.
Experience working with EMS, SAPS, Fire Department, and City JOC structures.
Excellent report writing, administrative, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to work flexible hours, including events, evenings, and weekends.

Key Competencies

High attention to detail
Strong decision-making under pressure
Assertive and confident communicator
Highly organised and deadline-driven
Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset

Why Join Gallagher Convention Centre?

Be part of one of South Africas premier events and exhibition venues.
Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with large-scale national and international events.
Opportunity to play a critical role in public safety and regulatory excellence.

Compensation