Introduction

Grain Field Chickens, a subsidiary of VKB Agriculture (PTY)Ltd, is a dynamic role player in the integrated broiler industry with an abattoir in Reitz in the North Eastern Free State. We offer you the opportunity to establish yourself within a professional, corporate environment in the countryside.

JOB FUNCTION

The SHEQ Graduate position will develop core skills in the areas outlined below by undertaking the required on-the-job training, by assisting various SHEQ Admin Dept. Team Members with different Admin-related tasks to obtain valuable on-the-job experience. 

Requirements

• TVET College N4–N6 Occupational Certificate: Occupational Health and Safety Officer (NQF5 Equivalent).
• Other: Occupational Certificate: Safety, Health and Quality Practitioner (NQF5 Equivalent).
• Must be unemployed and require practical experience (Work Integrated Learning/ WIL) or in-service training internship, to complete qualification (NQF6 Diploma).
• Must NOT have benefitted from an internship or Learnership program before.
• Must be joining an Internship/ Graduate Program for the first time.
• Computer Literate in MS office package is essential.
• Ability to communicate in Afrikaans will be beneficial (contract growers speak predominantly Afrikaans).
• A willingness to work overtime including weekends, when required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Please note the tasks outlined below will be performed under the guidance and supervision of the applicable trainer, until such a time the candidate is signed off as fully competent in all areas:

• Provide administration support to the SHE Officer and the H&S team.
• Take minutes at meetings.
• Prepare reports and documents for the SHE Officer.
• Review and coordinate risk assessments, registers, incident reports and audits.
• Manage internal databases, registers, and auditing systems.
• Administration and management of the Safety, Health & Environmental Management System.
• Process Accident and Incident forms, updating spreadsheets and following up as required.
• Assist with Safety & Health Training, administering Training registration, records and issuing certificates where required.
• Assist with overseeing the work done by staff, trades people and subcontractors and refer non-compliances to the SHE Officer and/ or relevant line managers.
• Monitor on-going compliance and always report findings and summaries to the SHE Officer.
• In the event of an accident, incident, or emergency, assume management of the site.
• Assist with annual Health and Safety Management Systems Audits.
• Participate in and report on management systems audits, inspections, investigations, and meetings as required.
• Actively participate in external contractor, visitors, and employee’s induction process.
• Promptly report all accidents, incidents and near hits and participate in investigation as required.
• Participate in health, safety, quality, environment, and risk initiatives.
• Participating in the company’s Health and Safety Committee Meetings.
• Draft & distribute toolbox talks to all departments and ensure attendance registers are filed.
• Co-ordinate the monthly safety meeting:
• ensure meeting times are set.
• agendas are sent out.
• minutes are kept and sent out.
• ensure that all support documentation in respect of the safety program is received on time and in the correct format from all concerned parties.
• Assist in appointment of safety representatives for all departments.
• Evaluate incident forms, surveys, audits to establish root causes and together with Supervisors and Managers concerned, formulate a plan of action to correct non-compliant behavior or conditions.
• Assist with ensuring onsite contractors comply with Company safety regulations and adhere to safety standards, including basic safety induction training.
• Conduct surveys and audits as required to identify and minimize the risk to company and employees.
• Identify unsafe acts, conditions, and hazards, investigate root causes, and identify corrective and preventative actions and report to management.
• Assist the SHE Officer with the formulation of emergency/ contingency plans for:
• Natural disasters
• Industrial action
• Political unrest
• Fire
• Explosions
• Bomb threats
• Assist with drafting, reviewing, and updating of Emergency Procedures and SOPS as and when requested by SHEQ Manager.
• Complete all documentation accurately and in full - Range: Documents include, but are not limited to:
• Incidents & Accident Reports
• IOD Reports
• Other Safety, Health & Environmental Reports
• Complete and/or update the prescribed reports and/or documentation manually or on a computer system.
• Any other duties as may be required by management.

Skills Required

• High level of computer literacy and the ability to learn how to use the Avihance System and other relevant Company Systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with colleagues at all levels.
• Able to work appropriately with confidential and sensitive information.
• Analytical and meticulous attention to detail.
• Thorough approach to work.
• Excellent organisational skills including ability to manage time and prioritise effectively.
• Able to work independently, as well as a team player.
• Able to set and achieve deadlines and give regular updates on progress.
• Approachable, helpful and enjoys working with people.
• Able to engage and work with internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to adapt and innovate quickly.
• Able to take ownership of area of responsibility.
• Able to always maintain strict confidentiality.

 Other information

• The company can expire jobs at any time at our own discretion. Should you not have received a response within 4 weeks of the closing date of this advert, please consider your application as unsuccessful.
• VKB Group and/or its subsidiary companies will use any personal data collected through the job opportunities section of this website for recruitment purposes only and, should your application be successful, for purposes connected with your employment.
• VKB Group is an equal opportunity employer. VKB Group’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to VKB Group’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. VKB Group actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.