Hygiene Technician Officer

Hygiene Technician Officer ROLE PROFILE GENERAL Date December 2025 Location Aggeneys, Northern Cape Operations (Please indicate the operation – by ticking the appropriate box) GB BMM Job Grade C4 (Paterson) / M8 (Vedanta) ROLE CONTEXT Mining and processing activities expose employees and business partners to occupational hygiene hazards, including respirable dust (incl. silica), diesel particulate matter (DPM), noise, heat & cold stress, gases & fumes, ventilation shortfalls, illumination, ergonomics and chemical agents. The Hygiene Technician Officer (C4) is a field-based role focused on measurement, monitoring, verification and reporting of these hazards to ensure compliance with legal and company requirements and to enable effective risk control in day-to-day operations. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE To execute the occupational hygiene monitoring programme for the assigned sections/areas, ensuring accurate sampling, reliable data capture, timely reporting, and proactive support to line management on control measures—thereby protecting employee health and supporting Zero Harm. The role ensures: · Accurate and legally compliant hygiene sampling/monitoring · Early identification of exposure trends and exceedances · Corrective and preventive actions are raised, tracked and closed · Audit- ready records and transparent communication to stakeholders · Practical support to Operations, Engineering and HSE on control effectiveness RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Occupational Hygiene Sampling & Monitoring · Conduct routine and ad hoc sampling for: respirable dust & silica, inhalable dust, DPM, gases (CO, NOx, SO₂, H₂S, O₂), noise, illumination, heat/cold stress, ventilation airflows & pressure differentials, and chemical agents as per plan. · Deploy and retrieve personal and area sampling equipment (cyclones, pumps, noise dosimeters, heat stress monitors, gas detectors, anemometers, velometers, smoke tubes, light meters etc.). · Perform pre use checks, field calibration/verification and post use checks; document all QA steps. 2. Data Integrity, Recording & Reporting · Capture results in the approved VOH system/registers and ensure traceability to employee/area, task, location, shift and exposure group (SEG). · Validate data for completeness, outliers and instrument errors, flag exceedances immediately. · Compile daily/weekly/monthly hygiene reports, exposure dashboards and trend graphs for sectional and site review. 3. Exposure Control & Action Management · Notify line supervision and VOH Coordinator of exceedances or deteriorating trends; recommend immediate controls (engineering, administrative, PPE). · Raise corrective actions and follow through to closure; verify effectiveness with follow-up measurements. · Support source identification (e.g., ventilation changes, process upsets, equipment condition, work practices). 4. Ventilation & Workplace Conditions Support · Assist with ventilation inspections, air route checks, brattice/ducting integrity, regulator/damper settings, auxiliary fans and workplace air distribution. · Support commissioning or change of layout checks for headings, stopes, draw points, workshops and plant areas. 5. Legal Compliance & Audit Readiness · Execute monitoring in line with MHSA, Regulations, Codes of Practice, site standards and VOH procedures. · Maintain audit ready calibration certificates, chain of custody, sampling sheets, lab CoAs, and records retention as per policy. · Assist in internal/external audits, inspections and hygiene compliance reviews. 6. Laboratory & Business Partner Interface · Coordinate sample submissions to approved laboratories/business partners; ensure chain of custody, TAT and QA/QC (blanks/duplicates) are met. · Verify lab results and escalate discrepancies for rechecks 7. Risk Assessment & Investigations Support · Participate in IBRA/HIRA and task-based risk assessments for high-risk jobs (e.g., hot work, confined spaces, blasting, maintenance). · Provide hygiene inputs during incident/ill health investigations and recommend controls. 8. Stakeholder Engagement & Training · Brief supervisors and crews on monitoring schedules, findings and practical controls. · Support toolbox talks/awareness on topics such as silica control, DPM reduction, heat stress prevention, correct PPE use and care. · Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance and Ops to implement feasible engineering solutions. 9. Safety & Field Discipline · Adhere to Zero Harm, critical controls and PPE standards while in the field. · Conduct VFLs, walkdowns and PTOs focusing on hygiene related critical behaviours (PPE, housekeeping, ventilation practices). QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Qualifications · Grade 12 / Matric (NQF 4). · Practical Certificate in Mine Environmental Control – mandatory · Advanced Certificate in Mine Environmental Control – advantageous. · Recognised instrument handling & calibration training – advantageous. · Registered with SAIOH and or the Mine Ventilation Society · Valid driver’s licence and medical fitness for underground/surface work. Experience · 2–4 years in occupational hygiene/ventilation. · Demonstrated experience with hygiene sampling equipment and field QA/QC. · Exposure to ventilation checks (airflow, pressure, fans, ducting) beneficial. Technical Competence · Practical proficiency with sampling devices (pumps, cyclones, dosimeters, gas meters, heat stress monitors, light meters, anemometers). · Understanding of exposure limits, SEGs, sampling strategies, and QA/QC principles. · Ability to read ventilation plans/diagrams and interpret airflow implications. · Strong data capture, basic analytics and reporting capability (Excel/BI tools). · Knowledge of MHSA, relevant COPs/SOPs and evidence management standards. Behavioural · Field focused, detail oriented and disciplined. · Confident communicator with supervisors and crews. · Proactive problem solver; follows through on actions to closure. · High integrity, professionalism and respect for confidentiality. · Works safely, independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Organisational Fit · Demonstrates VZI Values: Trust, Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Respect & Care . · Acts as a visible enabler of healthy workplaces and sustainable exposure control . · Collaborates effectively with VOH, HSE, Operations and Engineering teams at BMM and Gamsberg .