Most workers are familiar with workplace health and safety. For many it’s a daily consideration to keep themselves and colleagues safe at work. However, not everyone is sure what the role of a work health and safety representative involves.
What is the role of a WHS Representative?
A WHS representative’s role is to discuss safety issues with colleagues and their employer, while working together on solutions that make the workplace as safe as possible.
The day-to-day tasks in which WHS representatives may be involved include:
- Consultation with internal and external stakeholders
- Representing colleagues in a work group on health and safety matters.
- Liaising with managers on hazards and safety issues.
- Providing a link between people at work and the organisation.
- Promoting the health and safety of workers.
- Participating in the investigation of an incident or potential incident that involves serious risk to someone’s health and safety.
Inspections of the Workplace
Inspections form an important part of the role. The inspections may include general inspections, an inspection of a particular activity or process, an inspection to validate a worker’s complaint, after substantial changes in the workplace or after an accident or dangerous incident. A checklist is often used during inspections and risk assessments, and is often developed in consultation with the PCBU. Any risks identified during an inspection should be reported to the employer in writing, but any hazards that need quick action can be verbally reported immediately. Workers can be informed of hazards at the time of the inspection.
Record Keeping
Keeping records is an important part of a WHS representative’s role. Records may include diaries of health and safety events, inspections, meetings and follow-ups, job procedures for hazard identification, inspection reports, photographs, minutes of worker interviews and other meetings, as well as hazard information.
Time to Do the Role
A workplace health and safety representative must be given time away from their usual duties to complete the activities of the role. WHS representatives cannot be held personally liable for anything they do or don’t do in good faith when carrying out their duties and functions.
Outsourced Role
If no one in the organisation is willing to take on the WHS representative role, it can be outsourced to an outside person or organisation to complete once-off inspections and periodic workplace health and safety audits.
Introductory Training Course
Introductory training courses provide training in how to:
- Conduct an inspection of the workplace.
- Locate information for a variety of sources.
- Represent colleagues on safety and health matters.
- Describe the roles and function of a health and safety committee.
- Investigate workplace injuries, illnesses or accidents.
- Apply knowledge of legislation in the role of a health and safety representative
- Identify hazards and recommend controls.
Does Your Organisation Need a WHS Rep?
Any organisation with employees can have a WHS representative to support consultation and proactive WHS. For larger organisations, a health and safety committee may be needed. A committee must be established if five or more employees make the request to the PCBU.
If you're interested in workplace health and safety services to help improve employee health and safety, read more about our Workplace Health and Safety Consultants, call 1800 258 487 or contact us online for more information.
