Health and safety representatives (HSR) provide the means to give workers a voice in health and safety matters at the workplace.
The aim of this initial HSR training course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to enable them to fulfil the role of an effective Health and Safety Representative and to meet the entitlements as prescribed by legislation.
From 1 July 2018, all HSRs must undertake the relevant approved HSR training course within six months of their election. Existing HSRs, who have not already completed the training, will have six months from 1 July 2018 to undertake this HSR training. If a worker chooses not to undertake the training within the time period, they will no longer be eligible to fulfil the role of HSR and will need to be replaced.
Existing HSR’s have an entitlement to attend refresher training at least every three years. Please click here to go to our HSR refresher training course page.
Health and safety representatives
A HSR represents the health and safety interests of a work group. There can be as many HSRs and deputy HSRs as needed, after consultation, negotiation and agreement between workers and the persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU).
HSRs can issue a provisional improvement notice (PIN) for an issue affecting the work group they represent.
HSRs can access information held by a PCBU that relates to:
- hazards (including associated risks) at the workplace affecting workers in the work group
- the health and safety of the workers in the work group
An elected HSR is entitled to perform the following tasks for the work group:
- undertake workplace inspections
- review the circumstances of workplace incidents
- accompany a WHSQ inspector during an inspection
- represent the work group in health and safety matters
- attend an interview about health and safety matters with a worker from the work group (with the consent of the worker)
- request that a health and safety committee be established
- participate in a health and safety committee
- monitor compliance measures
- investigate work health and safety complaints from work group members
- inquire into any risk to the health and safety of workers in the work group
- issue provisional improvement notices and direct a worker to cease unsafe work (where the HSR has completed the approved training).
A HSR is not personally liable for anything done, or not done, in good faith while carrying out their role. However any person adversely affected by a decision or action of a HSR can apply to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to have them disqualified.
