Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Manager (Construction Health and Safety Agent) - Red Sands

Globeleq is seeking a Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Manager for the Red Sands BESS Project in South Africa. The role involves ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations during the construction of a 153MW battery energy project. The HSE Manager will develop and implement safety management systems, evaluate contractors' HSE plans, and collaborate with the construction management team. The position is onsite, with construction expected to start in June 2025.
Globeleq, as the lead Sponsor of the Red Sands BESS Project, intends to commence construction of a 153MW/612MWh battery energy project and associated grid connection which includes construction of a new Eskom Main Transformer Station, overhead lines and a Switching Station.

The Project is located in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa near the town of Groblershoop and is split across two main sites with the overhead line corridor connecting them.

The Project is well advanced in its development including contractor selection, planning permissions, site studies, land agreements, and financing and project agreements.

Financing is being arranged through South African commercial banks and sponsor equity.

A single EPC construction company will construct the Project under a bespoke turn-key EPC contract. The EPC contractor is expected to have multiple key subcontractors who specialise in electrical and civil works. The EPC contractor is also responsible for delivery of the battery which will be containerised lithium-ion technology.

Construction is expected to commence around June 2025 with a minimum construction period
of 24 months.

We have partnered with AltGen for this recruitment, in case of any queries kindly reach out to the team by emailing redsands-recruitment@altgen.com

Application Deadline April 11, 2025 Department Operations Employment Type Fixed Term Contract Location South Africa Workplace type Onsite Reporting To Project Director Main Purpose of Role
The Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Manager forms part of the Employer’s construction management team which monitors and enforces the construction contractors’, and other parties’ contractual obligations.

The HSE Manager shall act as the Health and Safety Agent for the Employer in accordance with the Construction Regulations (2014) (as amended, under the Occupational Health & Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993).

The primary purpose is to ensure the implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of health and safety systems and processes on the construction project and safeguarding the wellbeing of all stakeholders on-site. The HSE Manager will ensure that the project complies with South African legislation (the Construction Regulations (promulgated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as amended)), Globeleq HSESS requirements, lender requirements, good industry international practices (GIIP) and all relevant local and international legislation.

The role will work close with the Employer’s team and the EPC Contractor and subcontractors.

Key Responsibilities (this list is not exhaustive)
Pre-Construction Phase:
• Develop and implement a Health, Safety, Environment Social and Security (HSESS) Management System (MS) for the asset under construction, which is consistent with the contractual requirements,
• Assist in the preparation and approval of the Globeleq HSE Specification and ensure Globeleq's compliance of all regulatory obligations,
• Review and evaluate the contractor(s) HSE Plan(s) for compliance with the Client’s Specification and legal requirements,
• Participate in project planning and design meetings to ensure that H&S risks are identified and mitigated early,
• Conduct baseline risk assessment and compile a HSE File framework,
• Identify all HSE requirements to be complied with by the Employer’s team and ensure that it is provided and maintained (such as Medical Fitness Certificates, H&S training needs, PPE, etc. and other).
Construction Phase:
• Act as primary liaison between the Owner and Contractor on HSE matters,
• Monitor and enforce compliance with the approved HSE Plan,
• Ensure Risk Assessments undertaken by the EPC Contractor are robust and accurate,
• Conduct regular site inspections, audits, and HSE meetings,
• Facilitate site-specific risk assessments, safe work procedures, and method statements,
• Perform HSE audits on EPC Contractor (and their sub-contractors) to verify their compliance with HSE requirements,
• Permit to Work & H&S Risk Assessments Reviews: Review and ensure that the Permit to Work system is in place with the correct documentation, ensuring that risks associated with specific work activities are identified and mitigated and all tasks and activities are conducted safely,
• Ensure proper use and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),
• Investigate incidents, near misses, and occupational illnesses; ensure that corrective and preventative actions are implemented and close-out within the Employer’s prescribed timelines,
• Maintain records of HSE inspections, audit reports, incident reports, non-conformance reports, and corrective actions, ensuring they are readily available for internal/externa audits and regulatory inspections,
• Advise and guide the Employer’s team, Principal/EPC Contractors and sub-contractors on HSE matters,
• Emergency Preparedness: Ensure that emergency response plans are in place and regularly tested, with a focus on fire safety, first aid, and evacuation procedures. Collaborate with the Site Manager and other stakeholders to ensure that all safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, first-aid kits) is readily available and in good working order,
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Act as a key point of contact between the project team, regulatory authorities, and contractors for all matters related to HSE,
• Participate in regular meetings with the Construction Director, Site Manager, and other stakeholders to discuss HSE issues, incident reports, and the overall H&S performance of the site,
• Participate in on-site meetings with the Construction Director, the Owner’s Engineer, EPC Contractor and the Construction Steering Committee to discuss the progress of the construction phase,
• Participate and report as required to the relevant Globeleq HSE governance structures,
• Liaise with the Department of Employment and Labour on statutory compliance,
• Provide support on, and input into audits and visits undertaken by Globeleq staff, the shareholder, the lenders and any of their consultants,
• Reporting and Documentation: Collate and interpret HSE KPI data from the Principal/EPC contractor and provide detailed HSE reports to the Construction Director, ESG Director, and Globeleq Group Health, Safety & Security Manager,
• Keep up to date with legal and industry best practices related to HSE.
Close-Out Phase:
• Participate in closing out any outstanding HSE issues on site,
• Participate in any investigations or reporting on HSE related matters,
• Ensure that the project HSE File is compiled, updated, and handed over to the Employer’s team,
• Compile final compliance reports and recommendations.

Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Competencies
Qualification:
• National Diploma / Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, or related field,
• SACPCMP Registration as a Professional Construction Health & Safety Agent (Pr. CHSA),
• Additional certifications such as SAMTRAC, NEBOSH, or ISO 45001 (advantageous),
• First Aid and Fire Safety certifications are beneficial,
• Valid Driver’s Licence.
Experience:
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience as a Construction Health & Safety Agent on construction projects,
• Strong knowledge of South African Construction Regulations, 2014 (as amended), the OHS Act. and other applicable regulatory requirements,
• Proven track record of managing safety compliance on medium to large construction projects,
• Working/liaising with the Department of Employment and Labour on H&S matters,
• Construction Work Permit applications,
• Ability to evaluate and audit construction site documentation and develop and approve site HSE requirements, emergency preparedness and fire safety plans,
• Experience/Knowledge of the typical HSE risk profile for Renewable Energy technology (Battery Energy Storage Systems).
Skills
• Strong managerial and decision-making skills,
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Fluent in English,
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams,
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities,
• Attention to detail and excellent reporting skills,
• Ability to work independently and under pressure,
• Computer literate (MS Office Suite).
Competencies:
• Contractor HSE management,
• Construction HSE management,
• Knowledge of country regulatory requirements in particular the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Construction Regulations and other applicable regulatory requirements,
• Risk assessment and hazard identification,
• Investigation and incident management,
• Leadership and stakeholder management,
• Decision-making and ethical practice,
• Understanding of international HSES requirements (in particular the IFC Performance Standards, the Equator Principles and World Bank EHS Guidelines) and their application in a project development and construction setting,
• Ability to work remotely whilst successfully achieving deliverable-based outcomes through a virtual team,
• Proactive and driven approach to work, taking ownership of the tasks required to be completed under their remit,
• Ability to be both process focused and outcome orientated,
• Ability to adopt a collaborative approach.

About Globeleq
We develop, own and operate power plants utilising various technologies across the African continent. With many years of international industry experience, the support of committed shareholders, and long-standing project, technology, finance and government partnerships, we have the financial strength, management and operational expertise to power Africa to realise its potential.

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