Belinda van der Merwe
Summary
SHERQ/HSE leader with 30 years’ experience in the petrochemical industry, driving compliance, operational excellence, and sustainability across multi-site and cross-border operations. Strong record of establishing and improving governance frameworks, reducing hazards, elevating safety. Known for building trusted partnerships with customers, regulators, and emergency services, and for leading high-impact initiatives, audits, and incident response programs.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
SHERQ Specialist
DP World
06.2023 - Current
- Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and company SHEQ Management System (SHEMS) across multiple sites; maintain audit-ready, retrievable SHEQ records.
- Communicate HSE policies, cascading standards and expectations to all employees.
- Lead and maintain SHEQ risk assessments, critical inspections (HSE/Driver/Vehicle/Operations), and internal audits; track corrective actions to closure.
- Drive SHEQ awareness through toolbox talks, campaigns, and visible leadership—elevating safety culture across operations.
- Continues engagements with staff to create safety awareness Arrange Depot Health & Wellness days.
- Classification of all incidents on GHSE system.
- Support HSSE team on-road and off-road incident investigations, ensure corrective/preventive actions and share Learnings from Incidents across the business.
- Review all incident investigations before submission for final approval.
- Ensure compliance with reporting of injuries and following up with Occupational Injuries and Diseases with COID.
- Update, and socialize Business Continuity Plans (BCP), Emergency Response Plans (ERP) and HSE Plan.
- Drive compliance with monthly GHSE metrics report submission for the business and annual validation of information submitted.
- Engage cross-functionally with operations, customer teams, and drivers to strengthen compliance and performance for major customers: Afrox, BP SA, Engen SA, Total SA, Shell SA, AstronEnergies, Masana.
HSSE Officer
Tanker Services
07.2018 - 05.2023
- Reviewed, evaluated, and analyzed work environments and procedures to prevent injury/illness from physical, biological, and ergonomic factors.
- Conducted inspections and enforced adherence to laws and regulations governing health and safety; supported SQAS and RTMS compliance and customer audits.
- Implemented Tanker Services SHEQ Management System and standards; checked legal/customer compliance for operations, drivers, and vehicles.
- Escalated audit findings to update company procedures; conducted and compiled SHEQ Risk Assessments for customers and routes.
- Compiled Toolbox Talks, monthly Safety Reports, customer investigation reports, and shared Learnings from Incidents.
- Updated and socialized BCP and ERP across depots; arranged Depot Health & Wellness days; reported and followed up on Occupational Injuries & Diseases (COID).
Senior Controller
BP Waltloo Depot
03.2010 - 06.2018
- Managed transportation of bulk petroleum products (depot-to-customer and bridging depot-to-depot) using specialized, customer-spec-compliant vehicles/equipment.
- Ensured optimal utilization of vehicles and drivers and complete documentation for accurate invoicing.
- Managed day-to-day driver activities to deliver per customer Delivery Schedules; addressed delivery constraints with Scheduling for resolution.
- Promoted high HSE awareness, led monthly HSE meetings, and ensured staff understood targets and performance.
- Adhered to all legal/company regulations and policies; supported major fuel contracts: BP SA, Engen SA, Total SA, Shell SA, Masana.
Various Roles
Shell South Africa
02.1994 - 03.2010
- COC Clerk, Nelspruit Depot (Feb 1994 - Nov 1996)
- OOC Supervisor, BP Waltloo Depot (Dec 1996 - Jun 2003)
- Stock Controller, Shell Alrode Depot (Jul 2003 - Feb 2007)
- Depot Supervisor, Based at BP Waltloo (Mar 2007 - Mar 2010)
- Focus Areas: Depot operations, inventory control, driver/vehicle coordination, compliance, HSE awareness, and customer service in high-risk fuel environments.
Education
NEBOSH International Construction Certificate -
NOSA
07-2024
Certificate Programme in Project Management - undefined
University of Pretoria
03-2024
SAMTRAC - undefined
NOSA
05-2022
B-Tech Degree - Transportation Management
University of Johannesburg
01-2009
Transport Diploma - undefined
University of Johannesburg
01-2007
Matric - undefined
Hoërskool Nelspruit
01-1993
Skills
HSE/SHERQ Governance & Compliance (OHS Act, RTMS, SQAS)
Policy, Procedure Development & Implementation
Risk Assessment, Hazard Identification & Reduction
Environmental Strategy & Sustainability (Green Initiatives, LNG Project)
Audit Readiness & Assurance (Internal/External)
Incident Investigation, Root Cause & Learnings from Incidents
Business Continuity Planning (BCP) & Emergency Response (ERP)
Stakeholder Engagement (Customers, Regulators, Emergency Services)
Training, Coaching & Culture Building
Performance Reporting & KPIs
Project & Program Management (UP Certificate)
Leadership & Team Coaching – motivate and guide compliant practice
Risk Assessment & Hazard Control – identify, evaluate, and mitigate
Problem Solving & Decision-Making – resolve operational issues swiftly
Incident Investigations – evidence gathering, interviews, root cause, and prevention
Flexibility & Adaptability – effective under changing conditions and multi-site demands
Organization & Detail Orientation – audit-ready documentation and governance
Professional Development & Training
- Managing Human Resources – Labour Guide (2010)
- AARTO – Imperial (2010)
- Basic Tachograph Chart Analysis – Phill Clark (2010)
- CCMA & Law Workshop – CCMA (2013)
- Legal Liability – NOSA (2014)
- Road Incident Investigations – Imperial (2015)
- Fall Protection & Working at Heights – SHEQWORX (2015)
- Product Knowledge & Small Spill Handling – SpillTech (2015)
- Cylinder Manual Handling – Afrox (2022)
Technical & Compliance Exposure
- Frameworks/Standards: OHS Act (SA), SQAS, RTMS, internal audit assurance, BCP, ERP, COID reporting.
- HSE Processes: Risk assessment, inspections, audit readiness, incident/accident/investigation, corrective/preventive actions, communications (Toolbox Talks, Monthly Reports), cross-site governance.
- Stakeholder Interfaces: Customers (Afrox, BP SA, Engen SA, Total SA, Shell SA, AstronEnergies, Masana), regulators/authorities, emergency services, internal operations.
Career Highlights
DP World Global Group HSE Excellence Award (2023) – Outstanding Leadership & Engagement., MasterDrive Awards: Best Company – Overall Winner (2023); Best Company 2nd Place (2022); two managers in Top 10 (2022); Thank You Trucker - overall best driver (2022)., Tanker Services Fuel & Gas Safety Awards – Best Depot (2017)., Built long-standing collaborations with SANRAL, Bakwena and emergency services to run Accident Simulations (from 2017) improving internal/external readiness.
Timeline
SHERQ Specialist
DP World
06.2023 - Current
HSSE Officer
Tanker Services
07.2018 - 05.2023
Senior Controller
BP Waltloo Depot
03.2010 - 06.2018
Various Roles
Shell South Africa
02.1994 - 03.2010
Certificate Programme in Project Management - undefined
University of Pretoria
SAMTRAC - undefined
NOSA
B-Tech Degree - Transportation Management
University of Johannesburg
Transport Diploma - undefined
University of Johannesburg
Matric - undefined
Hoërskool Nelspruit
NEBOSH International Construction Certificate -
NOSA