Safety is always a key issue for SDA members and unfortunately many workers don’t feel that workplace issues get resolved in a timely manner or taken seriously, and where the experience with management is like this there can be uncertainty in what to do. Sure, there are forms of safety committees in most workplaces, though workers experience with these can be indifferent. Workers may be interested to know about Health and Safety
Representatives, or commonly referred to as HSRs, and the information about how to get them, and what they can do should be readily available by every business. The SDA is able to fully assist with the process to negotiate work groups for HSRs, and has the legislative right to be involved.
A HSR is a worker elected to represent a work group’s interests on health and safety matters. Similar to SDA Shop Stewards/Delegates, HSRs play a vital role in workplaces and help ensure employers fulfill their legal obligations to keep workers safe.
A HSRs role is to raise and investigate safety hazards or risks, monitor safety controls put in place and ensure their employer is compliant with the requirements in WHS legislation. HSRs will also become a member of the safety committee. The role is voluntary, legislated and elected HSRs are entitled to attend specific training to enable them to undertake this position. Some key benefits of having a HSRs in the workplace:
- Trained to identify WHS issues and advocate for workers’ interests
- Point of contact for workers to raise WHS issues
- Improves consultation process between workers and the employer, HSRs must be consulted on WHS matters
- Democratically elected by workers
If this sounds like something that would be a great addition to your workplace, please contact the SDA for further information and advice.