Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Sharjah Cooperative Society

3.2 Job Purpose

v Minimize the risk of accidents, illnesses, and injuries in the workplace.

v Raise awareness among employees about OSH standards and foster a culture of safety through ongoing training and education.

v Manage, coordinate, and process health insurance benefits for employees by ensuring timely enrollment, claims handling, policy compliance, and communication with insurance providers.

3.3 Key Accountabilities (divided based on Balance Scorecard “BSC”)

Financial:

· Propose and manage budgets for safety training, emergency drills, and awareness campaigns.

· Track and report on the financial impact of workplace accidents, including medical expenses, lost productivity, and insurance claims.

· Monitor and verify insurance claims to prevent overpayments, ensuring compliance with policy terms.

• Demonstrate the financial benefits of OSH initiatives (e.g., reduced injury rates leading to lower insurance premiums).

Customer/Quality:

· Maintain positive working relationships with external and internal stakeholders.

· Provide safety guidance to employees, ensuring they understand and follow OSH protocols.

· Respond to safety-related concerns or complaints raised by staff, or visitors in a timely and professional manner.

Internal Business Process:

· Develop and implement OSH management systems in compliance with legislation and OSHJ standards and regulations.

· Prepare and maintain Sharjah Co-op's Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policy statement, ensuring it is communicated effectively across all employees.

· Conduct regular risk assessments for various work activities and operations, providing mitigation measures where necessary.

· Ensure the development and maintenance of a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan, including preparedness for fire, medical, and other safety emergencies.

· Ensure the workplace is free of hazards that endanger workers' safety and health.

· Ensure compliance with workplace standards, including employee welfare requirements, and prioritize safety and hygiene to maintain a healthy and safe work environment.

· Ensure that a mechanism is in place for reporting incidents and that incident investigation procedures are established.

· Ensure that periodic emergency drills are planned, conducted and recorded.

· Ensure the safety, health and well-being of the employees at the workplace and accommodation facilities.

· Conduct internal OSH inspections and audits.

· Follow up and close the findings from the external inspection/audit overseeing the entity's compliance.

· Regularly inspect equipment and facilities to ensure adherence to Health and Safety policies and procedures.

· Liaise with regulatory authorities and ensure timely reporting of incidents.

· Notify SPSA (Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority) immediately of any incidents, injuries, occupational illnesses, or dangerous occurrences by OSHJ requirements.

· Prepare and submit regular reports on the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management system.

· Maintain and update the Risk Register to track identified hazards and ensure control measures are being followed.

· Investigate and record workplace accidents to determine causes and handle employee compensation claims.

· Initiates and organizes safety awareness campaigns, including occupational safety workshops and training sessions.

· Ensure adherence to mandatory OSHJ training requirements for all personnel.

· Adhere to OSHJ guidelines and codes of practice, based on the entity's classification and safety needs.

· Ensure that safety protocols are adhered to on-site and help in the safe execution of projects and activities.

· Advise the entity's management on compliance requirements for OSH mandatory training in accordance with the Emirate of Sharjah Executive Council Resolution (21) of 2019, regarding training in prevention and safety, as well as other SPSA and relevant requirements.

· Advise the entity's management on the installation and compliance requirements of a 24x7 fire alarm-monitoring system (AMAN) in accordance with the Emirate of Sharjah Executive Council Resolution (20) of 2019.

· Meet with various health insurance companies to find those that best fit the organization's needs and budget.

· Conduct seminars on health insurance benefits to educate employees about the benefits offered by the insurance company in a better and more effective manner, and conduct satisfactory surveys to achieve the highest possible employee satisfaction rate.

· Visit employees admitted to the hospital in the event of any illness and ensure they receive appropriate treatment.

· Follow up with insurance companies in the event of any delays or issues that may arise.

· Process and verify insurance claims to ensure accuracy and compliance with policy terms and conditions.

· Coordinate with healthcare providers to clarify documentation or resolve discrepancies.

· Communicate with patients about their coverage, co-pays, deductibles, and claim status.

· Perform any other tasks assigned by the line manager.

Learning & Growth:

· Develop the organization's Health and Safety internal policies and procedures according to legislation.

· Implement the development initiatives.

· Stay updated on healthcare regulations, insurance policies, and coding standards.