PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE

This position offers an opportunity for a qualified health and hygiene professional to serve as Principal Inspector within the Department of Employment and Labour, based at the Groblersdal Labour Centre. The role operates within the department’s regulatory framework, focusing on occupational health and hygiene compliance in the workplace. As a principal inspector, the incumbent will be expected to provide technical leadership and ensure that the department’s health and hygiene strategies are effectively implemented in line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations. The work is both field-based and analytical, requiring regular inspections of workplaces to identify hazards, assess compliance, and recommend corrective or enforcement action.

Candidates must hold a three-year National Diploma at NQF level 6 or an undergraduate bachelor’s degree at NQF level 7 in Environmental Health, Occupational Health, Hygiene, Analytical Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering. A valid driver’s licence is essential, as the role involves travel to various inspection sites. Applicants need at least four years of functional experience in health and hygiene inspection or related services. A thorough working knowledge of departmental policies and procedures, Batho Pele Principles, the Public Service Act and Regulations, the OHS Act and Regulations, OHS standards, and the OHS Management System is required. In addition, the role demands a range of skills including facilitation, planning and organising, computer literacy, interpersonal communication, problem solving, interviewing, listening and observation, presentation, innovation, analytical research, and project management.

The principal inspector’s duties are multifaceted. The role involves contributing to the development of health and hygiene policies and ensuring the implementation of the department’s OHS strategy in accordance with legislation. A core responsibility is conducting complex health and hygiene inspections on a regular basis, following the departmental inspection programme. The inspector will also carry out technical research into the latest trends in occupational health and hygiene within identified sectors, helping to keep the department’s approach current and evidence-based. Furthermore, the position supports enforcement action, including preparing detailed reports for legal proceedings, which requires meticulous documentation and an understanding of legal processes.

This is a permanent, OSD-graded post with a competitive salary. The department has indicated that priority will be given to specific equity target groups, namely Coloured and Indian and White male and female candidates, in line with its employment equity plan. Interested applicants should note that the closing date is provided in the vacancy circular, and applications must be submitted through the specified channels, either by post, hand delivery, or email to the provincial office. For further enquiries, the contact person and telephone number are listed in the original advertisement. This role is ideal for an experienced health and hygiene inspector seeking to take on greater responsibility, influence policy, and contribute to safer working environments across South Africa.