Safety Officer (Building Construction) Cape Town, Western Cape

SUMMARY:
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Industry: Building Construction
Employment Type: Permanent
Reporting To: SHEQ Manager / Contracts Manager / Project Manager

Job Purpose

An established building construction company is seeking an experienced Safety Officer to join its Cape Town operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and enforcing all Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements across multiple building construction projects.
The Safety Officer will ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993), Construction Regulations 2014, company policies, and client safety standards while promoting a strong culture of safety throughout all project sites.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities Health and Safety Compliance Implement and maintain the company Health and Safety Management System (HSMS). Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and Construction Regulations 2014. Monitor compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, and client-specific safety requirements. Maintain legal compliance registers and site safety files. Ensure all mandatory appointments are in place and up to date. Conduct routine site inspections to identify unsafe conditions and behaviours. Ensure corrective actions are implemented and monitored. Site Safety Management Conduct daily site safety inspections. Monitor work activities to ensure safe work practices are followed. Ensure the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Verify that all plant, machinery, tools, and equipment are safe and compliant. Ensure work areas remain clean, organised, and free of hazards. Monitor subcontractor compliance with company safety standards. Risk Assessments Conduct baseline, issue-based, and continuous risk assessments. Develop and review task-specific risk assessments. Assist supervisors in implementing control measures. Monitor the effectiveness of risk controls. Identify high-risk activities and recommend mitigation strategies. Incident and Accident Management Investigate incidents, accidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences. Prepare detailed investigation reports. Implement corrective and preventative actions. Maintain incident registers and records. Liaise with management regarding incident investigations. Ensure incidents are reported within legislative timeframes. Training and Awareness Conduct site safety inductions for employees, subcontractors, and visitors. Deliver toolbox talks and safety briefings. Promote safety awareness campaigns. Assist with emergency preparedness training. Ensure employees understand safe work procedures. Maintain training records and competency registers. Safety Documentation Compile and maintain comprehensive site safety files. Ensure all statutory documentation is current and available. Maintain registers for inspections, incidents, training, PPE, plant, and equipment. Prepare weekly and monthly SHE reports. Assist with client safety audits and compliance reporting. Audits and Inspections Conduct internal safety audits. Participate in external client and Department of Employment and Labour inspections. Monitor audit findings and close out non-conformances. Prepare action plans following inspections. Ensure continuous improvement of safety systems. Emergency Preparedness Assist in developing emergency response plans. Coordinate emergency drills. Ensure emergency equipment is inspected and maintained. Verify evacuation procedures are understood by all personnel. Support first aid and firefighting readiness. Environmental Management Monitor environmental compliance on site. Promote waste management and housekeeping standards. Ensure hazardous substances are correctly stored and handled. Assist in implementing environmental management plans where required. Stakeholder Coordination Work closely with Project Managers, Site Agents, Contracts Managers, Supervisors, subcontractors, and clients. Attend site progress and safety meetings. Liaise with client safety representatives. Provide professional safety advice to site management. Minimum Requirements Qualifications National Diploma or Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, Safety Management, Environmental Health, or a related field. Valid SACPCMP registration as a Construction Health and Safety Officer (CHSO) is essential . SAMTRAC qualification is essential . Incident Investigation Level 3 or equivalent. Risk Assessment Training. First Aid Level 2 or higher. Fire Fighting Training. Fall Protection Planner \/ Inspector training will be advantageous. Experience Minimum 3-5 years' experience as a Safety Officer within the building construction industry . Proven experience on commercial, residential, industrial, retail, healthcare, education, or mixed-use construction projects. Experience working with principal contractors is essential. Strong understanding of construction site hazards and controls. Technical Skills Comprehensive knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993). Thorough understanding of the Construction Regulations 2014. Strong knowledge of hazard identification and risk assessment techniques. Experience compiling and maintaining construction safety files. Ability to conduct incident investigations and root cause analysis. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Excellent report writing and documentation skills. Competencies Strong attention to detail. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. High level of integrity and professionalism. Strong leadership and influencing abilities. Excellent organisational and administrative skills. Ability to work independently and under pressure. Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills. Ability to build positive working relationships across all levels. Commitment to promoting a proactive safety culture. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Compliance with OHS legislation and Construction Regulations. Number of lost-time injuries (LTIs). Reduction in incidents and near misses. Completion of planned safety inspections and audits. Timely close-out of corrective actions. Safety file compliance. Toolbox talks and safety training completed. Client audit performance. Subcontractor safety compliance. Site housekeeping and environmental compliance. Preferred Experience Preference will be given to candidates with experience on: Commercial office developments. Shopping centres and retail projects. Residential developments. Industrial and warehouse facilities. Hospitals and healthcare projects. Schools and educational facilities. High-rise buildings. Mixed-use developments. Large-scale public sector projects. Additional Requirements Valid driver's licence and own reliable transport. Willingness to travel to construction sites throughout Cape Town and the Western Cape . Medically fit to work on active construction sites. Ability to work extended hours when project demands require. Salary Market-related and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits Provident Fund. Medical Aid, where applicable. Annual Leave. Company laptop and mobile phone, where applicable. Ongoing professional development and training. Opportunity to work on prestigious building construction projects across Cape Town and the Western Cape . Why Join Us? Join a respected building construction company delivering high-quality projects across Cape Town and the Western Cape . As a Safety Officer, you will play a vital role in protecting the health and wellbeing of employees, subcontractors, and visitors while ensuring projects are delivered in full compliance with South African health and safety legislation.