Environmental, Health & Safety Officer

Location: South Africa, Cape Town – Epping

Advancing the Future of Freshness™, Together

AgroFresh is a fast-moving, dynamic company dedicated to delivering integrated near- and post-harvest solutions for more freshness and quality, every step of the way from harvest to home. From next-gen digital monitoring and analytics and plant-based coatings to integrated fungicide solutions and SO2 generating sheets for more intelligent packaging, you can count on us for a full suite of near- and post-harvest solutions that help enhance quality and extend the shelf life of your fruits and vegetables.

When you work at AgroFresh, you work with the leading experts in near- and post-harvest technologies to proactively solve the most pressing challenges. Imagine a world where the produce supply chain has more time every step of the way. Where products get to consumers exactly as the grower intended. Where food loss is minimized, sustainability maximized, and business empowered. This is the world of Smarter Freshness.

What The Role Delivers

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Occupational Health & Safety Officer to manage and implement Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) systems within a chemical-based manufacturing environment.

This role is critical in ensuring:

• Compliance with the OHS Act 85 of 1993 and applicable regulations
• Safe operation of manufacturing machinery and plant equipment
• Safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals and solvents
• Effective incident prevention, investigation and risk mitigation
• Environmental compliance within plant operations

The incumbent will work closely with site leadership (including 16.1 and 16.2 appointees) and has authority to escalate unsafe conditions and recommend operational suspension in cases of imminent risk.

Key Responsibilities

OHS Governance & Legal Compliance

• Maintain OHS legal register and ensure full statutory compliance
• Develop, implement and maintain OHS policies, procedures and systems
• Ensure compliance with:
  • OHS Act (85 of 1993)
  • Hazardous Chemical Agents Regulations (2021)
  • General Machinery Regulations
• Conduct statutory inspections and support OHS Committee governance

Hazardous Chemical Management

• Maintain chemical register and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) system
• Conduct chemical risk assessments
• Ensure compliant storage and handling of hazardous substances
• Coordinate occupational hygiene monitoring and health surveillance
• Ensure spill response readiness

Machinery & Operational Safety

• Monitor machine guarding and plant safety compliance
• Implement and audit Lock-Out Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures
• Conduct operational and warehouse risk assessments

Incident Investigation & Risk Management

• Lead incident investigations and root cause analysis
• Implement and track corrective actions
• Monitor LTIFR, near misses and safety trends

Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliant hazardous waste handling and disposal
• Maintain waste records and manifests
• Monitor environmental impact and compliance

Training & Emergency Preparedness

• Conduct OHS inductions and training
• Train safety reps, fire wardens and first aiders
• Coordinate emergency drills and preparedness

Who To Work With

Primary stakeholders:

• Site Leadership (16.1 & 16.2 Appointees)
• Production, Maintenance, Quality, Warehouse & Logistics Teams
• HR / Human Capital
• External auditors and regulatory bodies
• Occupational hygiene and environmental consultants
• Global HSE Team

How We Work

AgroFresh core competencies:

• Accountability for Results
• Mindset for Growth
• Customer Centricity
• One AgroFresh
• Owns the Talent

What The Job Requires

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12
• SAMTRAC or equivalent NQF Level 5 Safety Qualification (essential)
• 3–5+ years’ experience in a manufacturing or chemical environment
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • OHS Act and regulations
  • Hazardous Chemical Agents Regulations
  • Machinery safety and risk management
  • Environmental compliance

Advantageous

• Diploma in Safety Management
• NEBOSH qualification
• Occupational Hygiene qualification
• Incident Investigation (Level 2)
• Fire Risk Management certification
• First Aid Level 3

What To Have Done and Know How to Do

• Experience in chemical handling and storage compliance
• Experience in machinery safety and plant environments
• Proven ability in incident investigation and root cause analysis
• Experience with risk assessments (HIRA)
• Exposure to environmental compliance and waste management

Key Skills

• Risk assessment and hazard identification
• Incident investigation and reporting
• Emergency response coordination
• Training facilitation
• Audit and compliance management
• Strong reporting and analytical skills

Behavioral Competencies

• High integrity and accountability
• Strong authority and assertiveness in unsafe situations
• Attention to detail
• Resilience in high-pressure environments
• Ethical judgement

Why Work Here

• We improve food quality and reduce waste globally
• We are industry leaders in post-harvest technology
• We foster innovation and continuous improvement
• We invest in employee development
• Competitive compensation and benefits

Local Details

This is an on-site role in a manufacturing environment.