Health and safety representatives (HSR) give workers a voice when it comes to health and safety at work, qualifying them to gather and disseminate information and resolve safety issues and breaches within the work place.
This initial HSR training course from WH&S More Skills provides participants with the skills and knowledge to fulfil the role of a Health and Safety Representative as well as meeting all legal requirements as per prescribed legislation.
The members of a work group elect their own HSR. The term of a HSR/deputy HSR is three years.
HSRs must undertake an approved HSR training course within three (3) months of their election from an accredited training provider. Those who do not complete an approved HSR training course within the designated time frame must step down and be replaced.
Already qualified HSR professionals are required to attend a refresher training at least once, every three years. Please click here to go to our HSR refresher training course page.
Health and safety representatives
A HSR professional represents the health and safety interests of a work group. There is no limit on the amount of HSRs in the workplace, 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.
