Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) Specialist

Key Responsibilities
ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety Management
• Lead the strategic implementation, maintenance, and continual optimisation of the ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management System throughout the cement grinding facility.
• Conduct comprehensive hazard identification and risk assessment using advanced methodologies, including HAZOP, HIRA, JSA, and quantitative risk analysis techniques specific to cement manufacturing operations.
• Ensure full compliance with Kenyan occupational safety and health legislation, including OSHA (2007), DOSHS regulations, and industry-specific standards for cement manufacturing.
• Design and execute comprehensive workplace inspection programs, behavioural safety observations, safety audits, permit-to-work systems, and critical control verification processes.
• Lead high-quality incident, accident, and near-miss investigations using advanced root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., TapRooT, Apollo, Bowtie Analysis), ensuring effective corrective and preventive actions are implemented and sustained.
• Develop and coordinate comprehensive emergency preparedness and response programs, including emergency response plans, business continuity considerations, and regular drills covering fire safety, medical emergencies, spill response, and evacuation procedures.
• Champion worker consultation and participation mechanisms, fostering a strong safety culture through leadership engagement, safety committees, behaviour-based safety programs, and continuous safety awareness initiatives.

• Develop and analyse leading and lagging safety performance indicators (LTIFR, TRIFR, near-miss reporting rates, safety observation completion) to drive data-informed decision-making and performance improvement.
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
• Provide technical leadership for the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, ensuring effective identification, evaluation, and control of environmental aspects and impacts related to cement grinding operations.
• Ensure full compliance with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA 1999), NEMA regulations, environmental licences, air quality standards, water discharge permits, and county government environmental requirements.
• Monitor and report on critical environmental performance indicators, including particulate emissions, fugitive dust control, solid waste management, energy consumption, water usage, noise levels, and carbon footprint metrics.
• Coordinate environmental audits, inspections, monitoring programs, and regulatory reporting in accordance with ISO 14001 requirements and statutory obligations.
• Lead the investigation and resolution of environmental incidents, ensuring thorough root-cause analysis and implementation of effective corrective and preventive measures.
• Drive environmental sustainability initiatives, including waste minimisation, resource efficiency, pollution prevention, and support for circular economy principles.
Strategic SHE Leadership & Management Systems
• Develop and maintain comprehensive SHE documentation, including management system manuals, procedures, work instructions, risk registers, legal compliance matrices, and system performance dashboards.
• Lead management system audits, including internal audits, supplier/contractor SHE assessments, pre-certification audits, and support external certification and surveillance audits for ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.
• Design and deliver competency-based SHE training programs, including new employee inductions, toolbox talks, specialised technical training, contractor SHE orientation, and visitor safety briefings.
• Establish and maintain effective stakeholder engagement with regulatory authorities (DOSHS, NEMA, County Government), certification bodies, industry associations, consultants, and community representatives on SHE matters.
• Prepare comprehensive SHE performance reports, management review presentations, board-level summaries, and regulatory submissions to the Head of Innovation & Quality
Control and senior leadership.
• Lead SHE aspects of operational change management, new project implementations, equipment installations, and process modifications to ensure risks are properly assessed and controlled.
• Benchmark SHE performance against industry best practices and drive continuous improvement initiatives that advance the organisation toward zero harm and environmental excellence.

Professional Experience and Educational Background required
• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications (e.g., NEBOSH International Diploma, IOSH, or equivalent) are highly advantageous.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive Safety, Health and Environment experience in cement manufacturing, heavy industry, or similar high-hazard industrial operations. Direct experience with cement grinding or clinker processing is preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in implementing, maintaining, and auditing ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems, including successful certification or recertification experience.
• Deep understanding of cement plant hazards, including respirable crystalline silica exposure, material handling systems, rotating equipment safety, confined space entry, hot work, lock-out/tag-out (LOTO), fall protection, and dust control technologies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Kenyan safety, health, and environmental legislation, including OSHA 2007, EMCA 1999, NEMA regulations, and relevant industry standards.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation capabilities with proficiency in SHE metrics analysis, incident investigation methodologies, and performance reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels from the shop floor to executive leadership.
Personal Attributes
• Unwavering commitment to continual improvement, operational excellence, and
compliance-driven performance.
• Proactive, results-orientated, and detail-focused with the ability to anticipate risks and implement preventive strategies.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence organisational culture and drive behavioural change at all levels.
• High integrity, professionalism, and courage to enforce SHE standards consistently, even in challenging circumstances.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance operational demands with long-term SHE objectives.
• Collaborative team player who builds effective relationships across functions and with external stakeholders.