Construction Health and Safety Manager (2 Year Contract Site Based)

Pele Green Energy is seeking a talented, highly motivated, and self-driven Construction Health and Safety Manager to oversee and implement health, safety, and environmental (HSE) policies on a large utility-scale renewable energy construction project in South Africa. The H&S Construction Manager will form part of the construction management team, monitoring and enforcing contractual obligations of all contractors and other parties. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with local regulations, industry standards, and company safety policies to create a safe working environment for all personnel involved in solar, and other renewable energy projects.

Requirements

Key Job Responsibilities

HSE Policy Implementation

• Develop, implement and monitor health and safety plans and procedures for renewable energy construction sites.
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure adherence to all safety protocols on renewable energy construction sites.

Compliance and Auditing

• Ensure compliance with all relevant HSE legislation, licenses, permits, and client-specific requirements.
• Conduct regular HSE audits, inspections, and assessments at project sites to ensure alignment with South African regulations, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Construction Regulations.
• Liaise with local authorities for permits, inspections, and regulatory approvals.

Risk Management

• Review and ensure that the Permit to Work system is in place with the correct documentation, ensuring that risks associated with specific work activities are identified and mitigated, and all tasks and activities are conducted safely.
• Ensure that emergency response plans are in place and regularly tested, with a focus on fire safety, first aid, and evacuation procedures.
• Collaborate with the Site Manager and other stakeholders to ensure that all safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, first-aid kits) is readily available and operational.
• Identify and manage HSE risks specific to solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in South Africa, considering environmental and socioeconomic variables.
• Apply knowledge of HV regulations, primary transmission substations, and relevant safety controls, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.

Training and Development

• Plan and conduct HSE training sessions for all project employees and contractors, including toolbox lectures, inductions, and specialised instruction.
• Ensure that employees understand the hazards related to solar PV systems and the required safety measures, and the operational environment in their area.

Incident Investigation and Reporting

• Lead investigations of mishaps, incidents and near-misses, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions in accordance with South African regulations
• Compile comprehensive incident reports and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Track incident trends and recommend improvements for continuous safety enhancement.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage proactively with contractors, regulators, communities, and internal teams to promote HSE compliance and awareness.
• Represent the business in public forums and stakeholder meetings related to health and safety issues.
• To uphold the social license to operate, cultivate a good rapport with nearby communities.

HSE Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of HSE activities, including incident logs, audit reports, environmental monitoring, and compliance records.
• Create and provide HSE performance reports on a regular basis to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that the documentation satisfies South African regulatory requirements as well as company standards.

Operational Responsibilities

• Ensure daily on-site HSE compliance by contractors and subcontractors.
• Issue work permits and verify task execution according to approved method statements.
• Ensure that equipment complies with standards and undergoes the necessary recurring inspections, and that licenses and equipment are suitable for the operations being done.
• Supervise the cleanliness of the construction site and the effectiveness of the environmental and sanitary facilities.
• Support multilingual communication by organising translators where needed to ensure that safety instructions are understood by employees who are not fluent in the primary language used on the job site.
• Document inspection findings on the report template supplied by the customer, share findings and necessary actions with the construction companies and site manager, and track corrective actions to closure.
• Participate in safety committee meetings and other HSE forums

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or related field.
• Minimum 5+ years of HSE experience in construction, preferably in the renewable energy sector.
• Strong knowledge of South African health and safety regulations.
• Certification in health and safety, SACPCMP is essential and other certifications and registrations would be beneficial.
• Experience conducting risk assessments and accident investigations.
• Strong leadership, communication, and training skills.
• Ability to work in remote locations and travel to multiple project sites.
• Knowledge of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for reporting and documentation.

Preferred Skills

• Certification in first aid and firefighting is advantageous.
• Knowledge of sustainability and environmental compliance requirements.

Competencies

Leadership Capabilities:

• Participative Leadership
• Planning & Organizing
• Monitoring & Measuring Cognitive Capabilities:
• Analysis & Attention to detail
• Problem Solving
• Critical thinking

Interpersonal Capabilities:

• Assertive
• Methodical
• Drive & Action Oriented
• Flexibility
• Excellence & Quality Orientation