Viking Fishing, a division of Sea Harvest, invites interested and suitably qualified candidates to apply for the Divisional Safety Officer position. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced occupational health and safety professional who is committed to maintaining safe working environments, ensuring legal compliance, and promoting a strong culture of workplace health and safety across multiple operational sites.
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring occupational health and safety management systems, conducting safety audits and inspections, investigating incidents, and ensuring compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and related regulations. Applicants with a Grade 12 qualification, a Diploma or Degree in Occupational Health and Safety, and relevant professional certifications such as SAMTRAC are encouraged to apply before the closing date of 31 July 2026
Position Details
Position Title: Divisional Safety Officer
Department: Health and Safety
Reporting To: Group Health & Safety Manager
Job Type: Permanent
Location:
- South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront
- Bahrain Drive, Airport Depot
- Athlone Fish Shop
- Philippi, Selecta Sea Products
Closing Date: 31 July 2026
Viking Fishing, a division of Sea Harvest, is inviting qualified and experienced candidates to apply for the position of Divisional Safety Officer. This opportunity is ideal for professionals with a strong background in occupational health and safety who are passionate about creating safe workplaces and ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation.
The successful candidate will oversee health and safety systems across multiple Viking Fishing locations, conduct regular inspections, monitor compliance, and help build a strong culture of workplace safety throughout the division.
About Viking Fishing and Sea Harvest
Sea Harvest has grown from a small fishing company established in 1964 into one of South Africa’s leading seafood businesses. The group operates across seafood, aquaculture, agri-processing, and branded fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), serving customers both locally and internationally.
Viking Fishing forms an important part of the Sea Harvest Group and continues to maintain high operational standards across its various facilities. The company places significant emphasis on employee health, workplace safety, environmental responsibility, and compliance with occupational health and safety legislation.
This vacancy offers an opportunity to join an established organisation that values professional development, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Job Purpose
The Divisional Safety Officer will be responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, and monitoring occupational health and safety systems across three Viking Fishing operational sites.
The role involves conducting comprehensive safety audits, identifying workplace hazards, assessing risks, ensuring legal compliance, investigating incidents, and implementing corrective measures to improve workplace safety.
The successful applicant will work closely with management and employees to strengthen health and safety practices while ensuring compliance with South African occupational health and safety legislation.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of occupational health and safety duties, including:
- Develop, implement, maintain, and monitor Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems across all Viking Fishing divisions.
- Ensure health and safety management systems remain effective and compliant.
- Develop and maintain Marsh Risk Control Grading Audit documentation.
- Monitor safety documentation across all operational sites.
- Conduct regular reviews of health and safety systems.
- Develop, implement, maintain, and review Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
- Update risk assessments whenever legislative or operational changes occur.
- Identify workplace hazards before they become incidents.
- Evaluate workplace risks and recommend suitable control measures.
- Assist management in reducing or eliminating workplace hazards.
- Promote a proactive workplace safety culture.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
- Develop and implement administrative safety controls.
- Review and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Develop Safe Working Procedures (SWPs) for various operational activities.
- Ensure safety procedures address all significant workplace hazards.
- Carry out routine workplace inspections.
- Monitor implementation of safety policies and procedures.
- Report safety concerns and recommend improvements.
- Verify compliance with company safety standards.
- Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993 and related regulations.
- Develop and review letters of appointment relating to health and safety responsibilities.
- Assist with internal health and safety training.
- Provide guidance to managers regarding legislative changes.
- Educate employees on workplace safety practices.
- Maintain detailed inspection records.
- Compile professional health and safety reports.
- Recommend improvements based on inspection findings.
- Investigate workplace incidents and accidents.
- Prepare quarterly health and safety statistics.
- Present reports to management during health and safety meetings.
- Recommend corrective actions following incidents.
- Identify preventative measures to reduce future incidents.
- Monitor implementation of corrective actions.
- Develop and maintain action plans arising from Marsh Audits.
- Monitor Safe Net Africa Survey action plans.
- Ensure action plans are completed within required timeframes.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the business.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants should meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Grade 12 (Matric) or equivalent qualification.
- Diploma or Degree in Occupational Health and Safety.
Candidates who possess additional occupational health and safety qualifications will have an advantage during the recruitment process.
Required Knowledge
Applicants should demonstrate sound knowledge in the following areas:
- Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
- Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993.
- Workplace hazard identification.
- Risk assessment methodologies.
- Safety auditing principles.
- Workplace inspections.
- Incident investigation.
- Accident reporting.
- Corrective action planning.
- Preventative action implementation.
- Emergency preparedness.
- Emergency response planning.
- Safety reporting.
- Record management.
- Occupational health and safety documentation.
- ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
Professional Certifications
The following professional certifications are required or considered advantageous:
- SAMTRAC (Safety Management Training Course).
- ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Training.
- NEBOSH International General Certificate (advantageous).
Holding internationally recognised safety qualifications will strengthen an application.
Skills and Competencies
Suitable candidates should possess strong technical knowledge together with excellent interpersonal skills.
Important competencies include:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Strong organisational ability.
- Attention to detail.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Analytical thinking.
- Report writing skills.
- Time management.
- Planning and coordination.
- Leadership ability.
- Decision-making skills.
- Risk management.
- Ability to work independently.
- Team collaboration.
- Professional integrity.
- Ability to interpret legislation.
- Strong administrative skills.
- Computer literacy.
- Record keeping.
- Presentation skills.
- Training and coaching ability.
- Investigation skills.
Work Environment
The successful candidate will work across several Viking Fishing operational facilities. Regular travel between sites may be required to conduct inspections, audits, meetings, investigations, and employee training sessions.
The position requires someone who is comfortable working in industrial environments while maintaining high professional standards and promoting safe work practices.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This position provides an opportunity to work for one of South Africa’s well-established seafood companies while contributing to the safety and wellbeing of employees.
Benefits of this opportunity include:
- Working within a respected national organisation.
- Exposure to multiple operational facilities.
- Opportunities to apply advanced occupational health and safety knowledge.
- Professional growth within a structured health and safety environment.
- Meaningful involvement in compliance and risk management.
- Experience with recognised occupational health and safety management systems.
- Opportunity to improve workplace safety standards across several divisions.
Employment Equity
Viking Fishing, a Division of Sea Harvest, is committed to the principles of the Employment Equity Act. Applications from suitably qualified candidates from designated groups are encouraged in line with the company’s employment equity objectives.
Application Process
Candidates who meet the minimum requirements should submit:
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Certified copies of relevant qualifications.
- Applications must be emailed to: [email protected]
Closing Date: 31 July 2026
Applications received after the closing date may not be considered.
Important Notice
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If no response is received within two weeks after the closing date, the application should be regarded as unsuccessful. Candidates are encouraged to ensure that all required documents are included before submitting their applications to avoid delays during the recruitment process.