Safety Manager @ Downer

Purpose of the Role

Mineral Technologies South Africa is inviting applications for the role of Safety Manager. This role will lead the occupational health, safety and environmental functions across the Pretoria and Richards Bay operations, ensuring that our workplaces remain safe, legally compliant and aligned to the Downer Zero Harm commitment.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and driving the SHE strategy, maintaining the SHE management system, supporting legal compliance, leading incident investigations, managing risk, leading and developing the safety team and building a proactive safety culture across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Vision & Policy Development: Develop and support a practical SHE strategy, targets and proactive injury-prevention initiatives for the Pretoria and Richards Bay operations.
• Leadership Advisory: Partner with senior leadership and operational managers to embed safety requirements into business planning, site activities and operational changes.
• Governance & Compliance Oversight: Ensure alignment with national occupational health and safety legislation, regulatory requirements and relevant frameworks, including ISO 45001, across the Pretoria and Richards Bay operations.
• Enterprise Risk Management: Oversee risk assessments, system audits and incident trend analysis to identify preventative actions and reduce workplace risk.
• Safety Culture Development: Drive clear communication and visible leadership practices that promote a proactive safety culture where all levels of management are accountable.
• Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, COID Act, applicable environmental legislation and company SHE standards.
• Maintain statutory registers, legal appointments, SHE records and audit-ready legal files.
• Develop, implement and maintain SHE policies, procedures, safe work procedures and the SHE management system aligned to ISO 45001.
• Lead hazard identification and risk assessments, including baseline, issue-based and continuous HIRA processes.
• Plan and conduct inspections, audits, worksite safety meetings and planned task observations.
• Lead incident, injury and near-miss investigations, identify root causes and track corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage IOD / COIDA reporting, DEL incident reporting and SHE performance reporting.
• Identify SHE training needs, coordinate induction, toolbox talks, emergency drills and awareness communication.
• Lead, support and develop Safety Officers and SHE Representatives.
• Drive a visible Zero Harm culture across both blue- and white-collar environments.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree, Honours or Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management, Environmental Science or a related field.
• SAMTRAC or equivalent certification.
• Minimum of five years’ occupational health and safety experience, with at least two to three years in a supervisory or management role.
• Preferred experience in a foundry, manufacturing or heavy-industrial environment.
• Strong knowledge of the OHS Act 85 of 1993, COID Act, General Safety Regulations and related legislation.
• Practical experience with HIRA, incident investigation, audits, legal compliance and SHE reporting.
• Working knowledge of ISO 45001 and SHE management systems.
• Computer literacy, including MS Office and SHE reporting administration.

Advantageous Requirements

• NEBOSH qualification, such as IGC or Diploma.
• Professional registration with SAIOSH.
• SACPCMP registration as Construction Health and Safety Manager, where construction work applies.
• Knowledge of the Mine Health and Safety Act, where mine-site scope applies.

Key Competencies

• Strong safety leadership and commitment to Zero Harm.
• High level of integrity, courage and ethical decision-making.
• Good communication and influencing skills across all levels of the business.
• Strong planning and organising skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Problem-solving ability and sound judgement under pressure.
• Ability to coach, guide and develop a safety team.
• Resilience and composure during high-pressure or incident situations.