Isolation Officer

Role Purpose

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 is critical to ensuring zero harm through the effective application of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Permit-to-Work (PTW), and hazardous energy control systems across the Gamsberg Phase 2 concentrator, with particular emphasis on the Crushing Plant, Gyratory Crusher, Conveyors, Milling, Flotation, Pumping, and associated process equipment. The Isolation Officer ensures that all electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gravitational, thermal, and stored energy sources are positively isolated, verified, controlled, and safely reinstated in accordance with site procedures, MHSA requirements, and operational standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Isolation Management & Hazardous Energy Control
• Coordinate and execute safe isolations for planned maintenance, breakdowns, shutdowns, inspections, and commissioning activities.
• Implement and enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures across the processing plant.
• Ensure all isolation activities are conducted in accordance with approved isolation procedures, risk assessments, and plant operational requirements.
• Identify all primary and secondary energy sources prior to commencement of work.
• Ensure positive isolation and verification of equipment before work is released to maintenance or operations personnel.
• Prevent uncontrolled release of hazardous energy that may result in injury, equipment damage, or plant downtime.

Crushing Plant & Gyratory Crusher Isolation

• Lead and coordinate isolations associated with the Gyratory Crusher, apron feeders, conveyors, transfer chutes, vibrating screens, lubrication systems, dust extraction systems, and associated auxiliary equipment.

Verify isolation of:

• Crusher drive motors
• Hydraulic systems
• Lubrication systems
• Conveyor drives and take-ups
• Pull-cord and interlock systems

Stored mechanical and gravitational energy sources

• Ensure conveyor sequence interlocks and control logic are safely isolated prior to maintenance intervention.
• Coordinate isolations during crusher liner changes, blockage clearing, maintenance shutdowns, and commissioning activities.
• Ensure all guarding, pull cords, emergency stops, and safety devices are reinstated before plant startup.

Process Plant Isolation Coordination

Coordinate isolations associated with:

• SAG and Ball Mills
• Pumps and slurry systems
• Flotation cells and blowers
• Thickeners and filter systems
• Reagent systems
• Compressors and utilities
• Electrical substations, MCCs, switchgear, and VSD systems
• Water reticulation and process services

Permit-to-Work & Isolation Certification

• Issue, control, and manage isolation certificates and Permit-to-Work documentation.
• Ensure all permits are correctly authorized, communicated, displayed, and closed out.
• Verify that isolations are correctly applied before releasing equipment for work.
• Maintain strict control of lock registers, isolation boards, keys, tags, and lock allocation systems.
• Participate in pre-task risk assessments, toolbox talks, and work planning activities.

Verification & Zero Energy Testing

• Conduct physical verification of all isolations prior to work commencing.
• Confirm zero energy state using approved testing methods and equipment.

Verify absence of:

• Electrical voltage
• Hydraulic pressure
• Pneumatic pressure
• Rotational movement
• Stored mechanical energy
• Gravitational movement potential
• Ensure equipment cannot be started locally, remotely, or automatically while maintenance activities are underway.

Shutdowns, Commissioning & Operational Readiness

• Support commissioning, operational readiness, and shutdown execution activities through disciplined isolation management practices.
• Coordinate isolations during:
• C1 to C5 commissioning phases
• Functional testing activities
• Dry and wet commissioning
• Maintenance shutdowns Statutory inspections
• Assist in developing safe isolation procedures and plant-specific isolation philosophies during commissioning and startup phases.

Equipment Reinstatement & Safe Return to Service

• Verify work completion prior to removal of isolations.
• Ensure all personnel, tools, lifting equipment, and temporary barricading are removed from work areas.
• Confirm guards, interlocks, and protective systems are reinstated and functional.
• Coordinate controlled removal of locks and tags in accordance with site procedures.
• Authorize safe equipment return to service with operations and control room personnel.

Safety, Risk & Compliance

Promote and maintain a proactive zero-harm safety culture.

• Ensure compliance with:
• Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA)
• Site LOTO procedures
• Permit-to-Work systems
• Isolation standards and procedures
• Relevant statutory and operational requirements
• Participate in incident investigations, RCAs, and hazard reporting processes.
• Identify unsafe conditions and stop work where hazardous energy risks are not adequately controlled.
• Ensure strict adherence to surface mobile equipment interaction controls and man-machine separation protocols within operational areas.

Documentation & Reporting

Maintain and manage:

• Isolation registers and logs
• Lock and tag registers
• Permit-to-work records
• Shift handover information
• Isolation deviations and incident reports
• Shutdown and commissioning isolation records
• Provide accurate reporting on isolation compliance, safety observations, and hazardous energy management performance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Competencies

Strong understanding of:

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) systems
• Hazardous energy control principles
• Crushing, milling, flotation, and mineral processing operations
• MCCs, switchgear, VSDs, and electrical reticulation systems
• Mechanical and hydraulic systems associated with heavy mining equipment
• Conveyor interlocks and process control philosophies

Ability to read and interpret:

• P&IDs
• Single line diagrams
• Electrical schematics
• Isolation drawings
• Control philosophies and interlock logic

Core Competencies

• Strong safety leadership and hazard awareness
• High attention to detail and procedural discipline
• Effective communication and coordination skills
• Ability to work in high-risk operational environments
• Strong planning and organizational capability
• Calm and disciplined approach during breakdowns and shutdowns
• Ability to challenge unsafe work practices and enforce compliance standards

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum Requirements
• Grade 12 / Matric
• Formal Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Permit-to-Work training
• Valid medical certificate of fitness for mining operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Trade Certificate – Electrician, Millwright, Fitter, or Instrumentation
• SAMTRAC, COMSOC, or equivalent safety qualification
• Isolation Officer or Hazardous Energy Control certification advantageous

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in a mining or mineral processing plant environment
• Proven experience performing isolations on heavy mining and process equipment
• Experience within crushing and milling circuits highly advantageous
• Exposure to commissioning, shutdowns, and operational readiness activities will be advantageous
• Experience working within zinc, base metals, concentrator, or large process plant environments preferred