Isolation Officer

About the role

The Isolation Officer is responsible for the safe coordination, execution, verification and control of all plant energy isolations associated with maintenance, inspection, commissioning, breakdown, shutdown and operational activities within the processing plant. The role ensures zero harm by applying Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Permit-to-Work (PTW) and hazardous energy control systems across the Gamsberg Phase 2 concentrator.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute safe isolations for planned maintenance, breakdowns, shutdowns, inspections and commissioning activities.
• Implement and enforce LOTO procedures across the processing plant, ensuring compliance with approved isolation procedures, risk assessments and operational requirements.
• Identify and positively isolate all primary and secondary energy sources (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gravitational, thermal, stored) before work begins.
• Lead isolations for the crushing plant and gyratory crusher, including drive motors, hydraulic and lubrication systems, conveyor drives, pull‑cord and interlock systems.
• Coordinate isolations for process plant equipment such as SAG and ball mills, pumps, slurry systems, flotation cells, thickeners, reagent systems, compressors, electrical substations, MCCs, switchgear and VSD systems.
• Issue, control and manage isolation certificates and Permit‑to‑Work documentation, ensuring permits are authorised, displayed and closed out correctly.
• Verify that all safety devices, guarding, emergency stops and interlocks are reinstated before plant start‑up.

Required profile

• Experience coordinating plant isolations for maintenance, shutdowns and commissioning activities.
• Knowledge of hazardous energy control principles and compliance with MHSA requirements.
• Ability to work closely with maintenance and operations personnel to ensure safe isolation and reinstatement of equipment.

Required skills

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures
• Permit‑to‑Work (PTW) system management
• Hazardous energy control and isolation of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gravitational and thermal sources
• Verification of crusher drive motors, hydraulic systems, conveyor drives and VSD systems
• Preparation and administration of isolation certificates and PTW documentation