VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1
Infosheet 15. Health & Safety Representatives Health and safety representatives (HSRs) Health and safety representatives (HSRs) are an important link between employees and employers. They tell employers about health and safety concerns and co-operate with them to set up and maintain workplace safety.
(HSRs) are elected by co-workers to act on their behalf in resolving health and safety issues in the workplace and to maintain safe working conditions.
Employees at every workplace are allowed by law to elect their own HSR.
When an employee asks for the election of a health and safety representative, the employer and employees must work together to conduct an election at the workplace. An employer may also call for the election of a health and safety representative without waiting for employees to ask.
As a new worker, you can ask the HSR to help you recognise and avoid health and safety hazards and risks in areas where you will be working.
Many organisations also have health and safety officers, who are not elected by employees. These officers are appointed by employers to manage occupational health and safety issues in the workplace and make sure health and safety induction, information, training and supervision are provided for employees.
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1 Â
Regular inspections of the workplace by HSRs are usually arranged with the employer in advance, but may be done without notice if there is an accident, dangerous situation, or immediate risk to health and safety.
Health and safety committees Any employee may request that a health and safety committee is set up. Once an employee has asked for a committee, the employer is required by law to take steps to establish one. Employers may also establish a health and safety committee on their own initiative. Committees are useful as they help employers and employees to work together to make the workplace safe. In some larger workplaces, several health and safety representatives may be elected. There may also be more than one committee. Major employers may have health and safety representatives and committees at various workplaces around the state.
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1
Worksheet Sentence Match TASK: Using the ‘Infosheet’ above pair the sentence fragments.
1. Health and safety representatives (HSRs) are ...
... an accident, dangerous situation, or immediate risk to health and safety.
2. A designated work group is a group of employees who share ...
... an important link between employees and employers
3. HSRs may inspect the workplace without notice if there is ...
... represent them in health and safety matters in the workplace.
4. There must be at least ...
... they help employers and employees to work together to make the workplace safe.
5. At least half the members of a health and safety committee should be ...
... an employee requests that the workplace establishes one.
6. An employer is required by law to set up a health and safety committee if ...
... employee representatives.
7. HSRs are elected by their fellow employees to ...
... one HSR for each designated work group in a workplace.
8. Health and safety committees are useful because ...
... similar health and safety concerns and conditions.
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1
Short Answer Exercise Using the ‘Infosheet’ and the links below, Complete the Short Answer exercise on health & safety reps & committees. http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/elected-health-and-safety-representatives
1. What is a designated work group?
2. What are health and safety committees for?
3. Who can call for the election of a health and safety representative?
4. What is a deputy health and safety representative?
5. When can a health and safety representative inspect the workplace?
6. What do employers appoint health and safety officers to do?
7. List three of the legal powers of an elected health and safety representative.
8. What is a provisional improvement notice (PIN)?
9. How often should a health and safety committee meet?
10. Should health and safety committees be used for resolving OHS disputes?
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