Safety Officer – Gold Processing Plant

Our esteemed client, a leader in gold mining operations, is seeking a Plant Safety Officer/Coordinator to oversee and manage all Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) aspects at their gold processing plant. The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of industrial safety practices, regulatory requirements, and hazard control, particularly in gold plant processes such as milling, thickening, Carbon-in-Leach (CIL), elution, electrowinning, and tailings management. This role requires excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills to foster a proactive safety culture and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering.
2. Additional certifications (e.g., SAMTRAC, NEBOSH, ISO, OHSA, MHSA, or local equivalents) are highly desirable.
3. Registered with SACPCMP (South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions) as a CHSO.
4. 3–5 years of experience in HSE roles, ideally within the mining or mineral processing sector.
5. Proven track record in developing and implementing successful safety programs in a plant or industrial environment.
6. Familiarity with gold processing methods—milling, thickening, CIL, elution, electrowinning, and tailings management—and the associated hazards.
7. Knowledge of hazardous materials handling (e.g., cyanide, acids, caustics) and relevant safe handling procedures.
8. Proficiency in incident investigation methodologies, root-cause analysis, and risk assessment techniques.
9. Valid License and own vehicle.
10. Clear criminal record and ability to pass client site medical examinations.

Duties:

1. Safety Program Development & Implementation: Develop, implement, and maintain site-specific HSE policies, procedures, and programs in compliance with local regulations and company standards.
2. Conduct regular safety audits, risk assessments, and inspections throughout the plant—covering milling, thickening, CIL, elution, electrowinning, and tailings operations.
3. Coordinate with department heads to integrate safety measures into day-to-day operations, ensuring minimal disruption to production.
4. Training & Awareness: Plan and deliver safety training programs, toolbox talks, and briefings for plant personnel, focusing on best practices for handling chemicals (including cyanide and other reagents), equipment operation, and emergency procedures.
5. Conduct new-hire orientations, ensuring employees understand relevant safety rules, plant hazards, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
6. Develop and maintain safety training materials, records, and schedules for all levels of staff.
7. Incident Management & Investigation: Lead or assist in incident investigations, identifying root causes and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
8. Track and analyse incident trends, generating reports and recommendations for continuous improvement in safety performance.
9. Maintain accurate documentation for all incidents, near-misses, and corrective actions, ensuring timely communication to stakeholders.
10. Regulatory Compliance & Reporting: Stay current on local, national, and international HSE regulations (e.g., OSHA, MSHA, environmental standards) and integrate any changes into the plant’s safety programs.
11. Prepare and submit mandatory safety and environmental reports to regulatory bodies as required, ensuring accurate and timely documentation.
12. Coordinate with external inspectors, auditors, and governmental agencies during site visits and audits.
13. Emergency Response & Preparedness: Perform other duties as required by the business, even if not specifically listed in the job description.

If you have not heard from us within 3 months of applying, please consider your application unsuccessful. Only online applications will be considered.