Sipho Mkhabela

Apr 2021 - Current

Safety Administrator

Sappi Technology Centre

• Developed and implemented safety procedures to establish clear guidelines for working-at-height, lockout, confined spaces and chemical management.
• System administrator for an online database (IsoMetrix), a chemical management database.
• Responsible for evaluating the company's compliance with the OHS Act of 85 of 1993, implementing corrective controls, and monitoring risks.
• Reviewed and analyzed incident, near-miss, and hazard data and statistics to identify potential hazards and accidents.
• Worked with various teams and contractors as a safety advisor and coordinator in projects such as installing heavy equipment, commissioning a generator, working at heights, and general building maintenance.
• Developed and implemented emergency preparedness programs that involve company employees, contractors and tenants.
• Responsible for managing contractor safety files, checking equipment, conducting risk assessments, and supervising contractor work.
• Conducted safety training and education for employees to increase awareness of safety hazards and empower employees to work safely.
• Communicated safety performance and progress to management and employees to provide up-to-date information.
• Provided guidance and facilitated in the procurement of safety resources to employees.
• Provided new-employees and contractors with health and safety orientations and inductions.
• Created materials for presentations on various safety topics.
• Conducted safety audits and inspections to identify workplace hazards and ensure OHS statutory and regulatory compliance.
• Conducted regular safety inspections and audits to identify potential housekeeping hazards and prevent accidents and injuries.
• Responsible for the disposal of hazardous chemical waste generated by the company by classifying the chemicals and liaising with reputable waste companies.

• Key player in developing and administering a chemical management database used to align with local hazardous chemical agents regulations.
• Collection, storage, and quality assurance of safety data sheets (SDS) for the chemical substance management database.
• Prepared presentations for workshops involving company regional and executive management to coordinate the management of chemical management systems.
• Liaised with various operational business units in South Africa on the requirements and standards for the chemical substance management database.
• Ensuring compliance of the chemical management database with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), developed by the United Nations.

• Collected and prepared chemical reagents and samples for analysis.
• Performed chemical analysis on various water, pulp, wood pellet, effluent, liquor, bagasse, and paper samples from mills.
• Conducted an analysis using analytical instrumentation (ion chromatography, pH, conductivity, and turbidity).
• Ensured quality assurance on chemical analytical results.
• Provided support and reported chemical analysis of samples to supervisors.
• Conducted general laboratory housekeeping.