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Senior Risk Officer: Fire and Emergency at Sappi
Sappi
September 15, 2026
Full-time
On-site
We are hiring!
At Sappi, we are a leading global provider with a reputation for delivering high-quality sustainable Woodfibre products and solutions for the global markets. We lead through our values centred around safety, integrity, courage, making smart decisions which we execute with speed. We are seeking unique people who believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive and safe environment.
We're on the lookout for an experienced Senior Risk Officer: Fire and Emergency to provide guidance, support, and enforce compliance with Sappi policies, procedures, legal obligations, and best practices that are pertinent to the industry, using a process of continuous identification and development. In addition, maintain the ISO 45001 certification for the plant.
As a Senior Risk Officer: Fire and Emergency, you will be responsible for:
Lead and facilitate mill-wide fire Improvement initiatives aimed at eliminating chronic losses, reducing operational risk, and improving SHE performance
Identify recurring SHE losses and systemic risks through trend analysis and facilitate cross-functional teams to implement sustainable corrective actions
Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to significant SHE incidents and operational losses
Monitor and report on FIRE project progress, benefits realisation and sustainability of implemented improvements
Drive standardisation and sharing of SHE and fire best practices across departments and other Sappi operations where applicable
Support the integration of fire principles into daily operational management and routine work processes
Facilitate risk-based improvement workshops and support departments in identifying opportunities to improve safety, reliability and operational performance
Coordinate the continual improvement of mill fire prevention programmes and emergency preparedness systems
Lead periodic reviews of fire risk assessments and ensure implementation of engineering and administrative controls for identified fire hazards
Coordinate emergency response exercises, fire drills and post-exercise improvement plans to verify emergency readiness
Support investigations of fire incidents and near misses, ensuring effective root cause analysis and implementation of sustainable corrective actions
Liaise with emergency services, insurers and regulatory authorities on matters relating to fire risk management and emergency preparedness
Conduct various internal and external audits (contractor audits, Supplier or Vendor audit, ISO Audit Safety Compliance audits
Monitor changes in applicable legislation e.g., OHS Act, SANS standards, RSR, NFPA and advise on action planning, provide guidance to management on strategic and operational risk management.
Enforce compliance with life-saving rules, legal, procedural and other requirements and initiate disciplinary processes for non-compliance.
Follow up on findings to ensure closure and implementation of corrective or preventative action
Provide technical advice to Management, Engineering, Contractors and Employees mill-wide to ensure compliance with the OHS Act, Construction Regulations, SANS codes, policies and other legislation
Seek and recommend new methods or procedures or standards for implementation/integration in or with existing systems/modules to improve Sappi's compliance with world-class standards
Coach line managers, supervisors and departmental teams in FIRE methodologies and critical risk control implementation
Facilitate learning from incidents by ensuring lessons learnt are communicated and embedded into work practices
Conduct informal checks on procedures, work instructions and ensure that the plants adhere to the correct procedures for
Respond to various emergencies mill-wide: gas, fire, chemical spillage, IODs, Medical cases
Manage fire contractor processes including Contractor SHE files approval, pre-entry audit, and assisting contractors in complying with OHSA and Sappi's standards
Maintain the ambulance through a checklist and maintenance schedule. Provide drivers for the ambulance; manage the ambulance
Fire truck management and emergency vehicles and trailers
Manage the fire store and all fire-related equipment
Schedules for emergency equipment inspections as per SAP schedules
Submit new fire protection systems and equipment to fire risk consultants for approval
Log and manage all fire impairments
What are we looking for?
Qualified Senior Fireman
5 - 8 years' experience in Fire Management, experience as a Leading Fireman/Officer within a Manufacturing Environment chemical or heavy industrial manufacturing environment, would be advantageous
Experience in facilitating incident risk assessments and cross-functional improvement teams
Knowledge of ISO 45001, and integrated management systems
Certification in HIRA, RCAT, Fire Investigation, or equivalent
Knowledge of Fire Pumps
Training and knowledge of the Incident Command System would be advantageous
Experience in Fire Investigation and Reporting
What's in it for you?
Opportunity to work within a global organisation that continues to thrive in a rapidly changing world even after 80 years of existence
Learning and development programmes to fast-track your career within Sappi
Opportunities to travel (dependent on the role)
Market-leading leave benefits
Employee wellbeing benefits
At Sappi, we are a leading global provider with a reputation for delivering high-quality sustainable Woodfibre products and solutions for the global markets. We lead through our values centred around safety, integrity, courage, making smart decisions which we execute with speed. We are seeking unique people who believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive and safe environment.
We're on the lookout for an experienced Senior Risk Officer: Fire and Emergency to provide guidance, support, and enforce compliance with Sappi policies, procedures, legal obligations, and best practices that are pertinent to the industry, using a process of continuous identification and development. In addition, maintain the ISO 45001 certification for the plant.
As a Senior Risk Officer: Fire and Emergency, you will be responsible for:
Lead and facilitate mill-wide fire Improvement initiatives aimed at eliminating chronic losses, reducing operational risk, and improving SHE performance
Identify recurring SHE losses and systemic risks through trend analysis and facilitate cross-functional teams to implement sustainable corrective actions
Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to significant SHE incidents and operational losses
Monitor and report on FIRE project progress, benefits realisation and sustainability of implemented improvements
Drive standardisation and sharing of SHE and fire best practices across departments and other Sappi operations where applicable
Support the integration of fire principles into daily operational management and routine work processes
Facilitate risk-based improvement workshops and support departments in identifying opportunities to improve safety, reliability and operational performance
Coordinate the continual improvement of mill fire prevention programmes and emergency preparedness systems
Lead periodic reviews of fire risk assessments and ensure implementation of engineering and administrative controls for identified fire hazards
Coordinate emergency response exercises, fire drills and post-exercise improvement plans to verify emergency readiness
Support investigations of fire incidents and near misses, ensuring effective root cause analysis and implementation of sustainable corrective actions
Liaise with emergency services, insurers and regulatory authorities on matters relating to fire risk management and emergency preparedness
Conduct various internal and external audits (contractor audits, Supplier or Vendor audit, ISO Audit Safety Compliance audits
Monitor changes in applicable legislation e.g., OHS Act, SANS standards, RSR, NFPA and advise on action planning, provide guidance to management on strategic and operational risk management.
Enforce compliance with life-saving rules, legal, procedural and other requirements and initiate disciplinary processes for non-compliance.
Follow up on findings to ensure closure and implementation of corrective or preventative action
Provide technical advice to Management, Engineering, Contractors and Employees mill-wide to ensure compliance with the OHS Act, Construction Regulations, SANS codes, policies and other legislation
Seek and recommend new methods or procedures or standards for implementation/integration in or with existing systems/modules to improve Sappi's compliance with world-class standards
Coach line managers, supervisors and departmental teams in FIRE methodologies and critical risk control implementation
Facilitate learning from incidents by ensuring lessons learnt are communicated and embedded into work practices
Conduct informal checks on procedures, work instructions and ensure that the plants adhere to the correct procedures for
Respond to various emergencies mill-wide: gas, fire, chemical spillage, IODs, Medical cases
Manage fire contractor processes including Contractor SHE files approval, pre-entry audit, and assisting contractors in complying with OHSA and Sappi's standards
Maintain the ambulance through a checklist and maintenance schedule. Provide drivers for the ambulance; manage the ambulance
Fire truck management and emergency vehicles and trailers
Manage the fire store and all fire-related equipment
Schedules for emergency equipment inspections as per SAP schedules
Submit new fire protection systems and equipment to fire risk consultants for approval
Log and manage all fire impairments
What are we looking for?
Qualified Senior Fireman
5 - 8 years' experience in Fire Management, experience as a Leading Fireman/Officer within a Manufacturing Environment chemical or heavy industrial manufacturing environment, would be advantageous
Experience in facilitating incident risk assessments and cross-functional improvement teams
Knowledge of ISO 45001, and integrated management systems
Certification in HIRA, RCAT, Fire Investigation, or equivalent
Knowledge of Fire Pumps
Training and knowledge of the Incident Command System would be advantageous
Experience in Fire Investigation and Reporting
What's in it for you?
Opportunity to work within a global organisation that continues to thrive in a rapidly changing world even after 80 years of existence
Learning and development programmes to fast-track your career within Sappi
Opportunities to travel (dependent on the role)
Market-leading leave benefits
Employee wellbeing benefits