Specialist: Hazmat, Fire and Emergency - Transnet

Position Purpose

• To organize, lead, and provide specialist and professional services to the TPT Hazmat Fire and Emergency Services Program including safety programs related to hazardous materials ensure compliance with all National & Local Regulatory requirements, applicable international standards and or best practices.
• To ensure effective implementation of fire and emergency preparedness so that Transnet Port Terminals can adequately and comply with applicable legal and other requirements related to Fire Safety.
• In accordance to legislation such as Occupational Health & Safety Act (Act 16 of 2002), Fire Brigade Services Act, Act 99 of 1987, National Railway Safety Regulator Act (Act 16 of 2002), NEMA etc. coordinate and implement hazardous materials and waste compliance programs for TPT Operations and facilities; perform surveys to determine program effectiveness; and respond to health and safety emergencies.
• To promote and integrate national work programs and systems to reduce hazmat fire and emergency-related losses and risk exposures and to ensure that Transnet Port Terminals complies with statutory and international requirements in the handling, storage, packaging and transportation of dangerous goods and disaster risk management.

Position Outputs

• Ensure that all TPT buildings and work processes are planned in compliance with fire management specifications, mainly. Oversee the application and functioning of the fire suppression technology and develop all evacuation plans. Provide technical specifications for new projects. Provide specifications for all TPT buildings and fire equipment indicating the: − Required passive and active fire protection equipment and their location in a building. − Location and dimension of exists for each building. − Specification for storage of and location of flammable material
• Playing an oversight role/function and drive a compliance program that ensures that the Fire Safety Management Strategy is implemented in accordance to applicable standards and regulatory requirements, including ensuring that fire related safety risks have been identified, controls to manage are identified and that the testing of their effectiveness forms part of the overall Emergency Preparedness Program.
• Keep abreast of any changes/new relevant laws and regulations that impact Fire and Emergency services within the railway industry.
• Provide expert advice in the development of strategic Fire and Emergency Services risk management plans to as low as reasonably practicable and ensure compliance with all applicable legislation & standards and keeps abreast of any changes to relevant laws and regulations that impact the railway and maritime industry.
• Develop and implement plans to manage the risks and enforce compliance to Hazmat Fire and Emergency Services Local by-laws, provincial ordinances, national legislation (Fire Brigade Services Act, Act 99 of 1987, Basic Conditions of Employment Act , National Railway Safety Regulator Act 16 of 2002, Hazardous Substances Act 15 of 1973, National Road Traffic Act, Disaster Management Act, Act 57 of 2002, National Forest and Veld Fire Act, Act 101 of 1993 and Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993) guidelines, and best practice that TPT, all its terminals, customers and strategic partners subscribe to.
• Conduct building/ Hazmat installations compliance inspection to ensure compliance to the National Building Regulation and Building Standards Act. (SANS 10400 Part T, M and W)
• Conduct safety compliance audits of TPT buildings and fire management equipment. Develop an annual audit plan for all terminals. Develop an audit programme based on the audit plan. Conduct audits and report on findings in all terminals, focusing on: − Compliance of TPT buildings and fire protection equipment with the fire management requirements as stipulated in the Occupational Safety and Health Act − Compliance of TPT buildings with municipal and other related by-laws − Compliance of fire management equipment and processes with set laws, regulations, and procedures − Impact of workflow, processes, and procedures on fire management Facilitate and support the terminals in the acquisition of required municipal and other fire, hazmat and other dangerous goods related certificates of compliance.
• Facilitate the development of TPT emergency preparedness plans in accordance with the relevant Local authority Bylaws and applicable Regulation and Standards.
• Facilitate the development of Hazmat and Fire Management Policies, Procedures, Standards, Guidelines to manage the risks within TPT. 10. Conduct investigations on fire management related occurrences, specifically for Level 1 and 2 occurrences focusing on Root causes and contributing factors leading to the occurrence. Implications to the internal processes, employees, and equipment 11. Provide a comprehensive report with recommendation on improvement / mitigation plan emphasising corrective measures and internal controls where necessary for fire and emergency occurrences
• Manage all documents related to the fire management function, including but not limited to: Approved building and terminal plans. All certifications related to building occupancy. All contracts and service level agreements Service schedules for fire management equipment.
• Manage the contracts related to the division’s functions, including. Ensuring that contract specifications comply with fire safety regulations and all other requirements. Ensuring that the service and maintenance job specifications for fire management contractors are in line with contract specifications. Overseeing fire, hazmat and dangerous goods specifications for contractors Liaise with various stakeholders like municipalities, insurance department, terminals, etc. to plan, schedule, conduct audits, follow up on mitigation and finalisation of audits and for information sharing purposes.
• In charge of the Skills Development and Awareness regarding fire safety management through: Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and fire management checklist. Feedback and information sharing at own division. Update and design safety training and education programme for employees. Update fire safety information management on TPT applicable systems Provide training on changes/new developed by laws, regulations, and standard related to fire and emergency functions.
• Conduct Research & Development and benchmarking with world class organisations to drive innovation and identify relevant solutions for TPT and Transnet Fire Services.
• Participate and facilitate the development of business cases for the Hazmat and Fire Management programs and constant monitoring of financial performance of the programs.
• Collate and prepare monthly reports for the Snr. Specialist – Chief Safety Officer for consolidation of TPT overall performance report which includes amongst other things the following. Fire compliance at the various terminals Emergency preparedness in relation to the Transnet Dangerous Goods Self-Assessment

Qualifications and Experience

• Matric/NQF level 7 Advanced Diploma in Fire Technology (NQF7) or B – Tech in Fire Technology (NQF 7) or Equivalent
• A postgraduate qualification in related fields will be an added advantage.
• 6 – 8 years’ Applicable experience in a safety function including at least 3 years’ experience in Fire Safety Management.•Demonstrable exposure to Hazmat and Fire Safety management.

Added advantage.

• SAMTRAC / SHEMTRAC or similar Project management or the necessary practical experience
• ISO SHEQ Standards Compliance/ Audit related qualifications
• Certificate in occupational health and safety Constructions & Project Safety Management
• Relevant Professional Registration in South Africa
• Understanding of the Major Hazardous Installations including the relevant Major Hazardous Installations Regulations.

Competencies

• Strategy & Sustainability Ethical & Inspirational Leadership Business Performance and Delivery Relationship Management Corporate Governance & Compliance Personal Mastery