OHS PRACTITIONER: EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS

This position is located within the Human Capital Management Directorate in Johannesburg and centres on safeguarding employee health, safety, and wellness across the department. As the OHS Practitioner, you will act as the department’s dedicated specialist for occupational health and safety compliance, emergency preparedness, and workplace wellness initiatives. The role applies to the full spectrum of OHS responsibilities, from monitoring legal compliance and implementing the OHS Act to fostering a safety-conscious culture among employees through training, awareness campaigns, and active engagement with safety representatives.

To be considered, applicants need a Matric certificate alongside an NQF Level 6 qualification in Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, or Safety Management, plus at least two to three years of practical experience within an OHS environment. Registration with a recognised professional body is a firm requirement, whether with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene, or the South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. A valid driver’s licence is also needed. Beyond formal qualifications, the role demands sound knowledge of the OHS Act and related legislation, the ability to implement directives on employee health and wellness, SHERQ, and HIV and AIDS in the workplace, and strong problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal, presentation, facilitation, and report-writing skills. Computer literacy is essential.

The core duties are both strategic and operational. You will monitor compliance with the OHS Act, implement OHS policy, and collate reports on SHERQ activities. You will investigate workplace accidents, incidents, and employee complaints, and coordinate medical screening and functional medical surveillance where required. Emergency preparedness is a significant focus: you will develop emergency response policies, devise evacuation procedures, coordinate drills, appoint emergency response teams, and facilitate training for OHS committees and representatives. Awareness creation forms part of the job, including workshops, webinars, posters, and practical guidance on safety equipment, fire extinguishers, evacuation chairs, and personal protective equipment. You will also guide the appointment of OHS representatives and committee members, chair quarterly committee meetings, and ensure action plans are implemented and reported to appropriate authorities.

The role also entails hazard identification and risk assessment, undertaking routine inspections, conducting occupational hygiene surveys such as lighting and ventilation checks, and organising compliance audits with bodies such as the Department of Labour. You will maintain accurate OHS records, liaise with internal and external stakeholders including the municipality, disaster management, SAPS, contractors, and risk management, and compile submissions for quarterly and annual reports to DPSA and the Office of the President. A key objective is to continuously reduce occupational injuries and incidents. Shortlisted candidates should note that pre-entry assessments, including a practical exercise and an integrity assessment, will be conducted, and the department will follow standard application processes for public service posts.