A health and safety representative (HSR) may carry out the following functions at a workplace:
1. Inspect the workplace where a member of their work group works:
- after giving reasonable notice to the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU - the new term that includes employers)
- immediately, when there is a serious risk to health and safety or an incident has occurred.
2. Accompany a WorkCover inspector during an inspection.
3. Attend health and safety interviews between a worker from their work group, an inspector and / or PCBU. This requires the consent of the worker/s involved.
4. Request the establishment of a health and safety committee.
5. Receive work health and safety (WHS) information.
6. Request assistance:
- from any person
- from WorkCover where the issue resolution process has been followed and the issue remains unresolved.
7. Confer with the PCBU on health and safety matters.
8. Participate in all health and safety matters that affect their work group.
9. Represent workers outside their work group:
- if there is a serious health and safety risk
- if a member of another work group asks for help and their elected HSR or deputy HSR is unavailable.
Call 13 10 50 for more information about the functions of a health and safety representative.