Occupational Health and Safety
Health and Safety Reps at Work
Legislation
The OHS Act 2004 (Victoria)
Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (Tasmania)
Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022 (Tasmania)
Victorian
Workcover Authority
The VWA has many useful resources on their website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
Links to note include:
A dedicated portal for OHS Reps, containing official Worksafe advice on the rights and powers of OHS Reps as well as a variety of useful guides on specific OHS issues.
Compliance codes – these documents provide practical guidance both for OHS reps and for employers. They aim to provide easy to understand information on how to comply with the OHS Act, and cover topics including Workplace Amenities, Confined Spaces, and First Aid.
OHS In Schools - A Practical Guide For School Leaders (pdf) – a handbook that details common safety issues for schools and provides simple and helpful suggestions on how to manage safety within a school setting.
Victorian Trades
Hall Council OHS Unit
The VTHC has an excellent and diverse collection of articles, advice-sheets, tools and FAQ sheets on their website OHS REPS @ WORK.
Access the website here: www.ohsrep.org.au
Links for specific sections:
Workplace and Amenities: useful information on what employers should be providing, and a range of FAQs on issues such as toilets, changerooms, lunchrooms, first aid, temperature etc
FAQs for OHS Reps: useful information about the OHS Rep role and common issues. Information about the rights and powers of Reps under the OHS Act can be found here. Further advice for OHS reps covering topics such as dealing with accidents, workplace inspections, illness, workers compensation and using PINs can be found here.
FAQ’s for Workers: information sheets on a range of issues including meal breaks, harassment, and the right to refuse unsafe work. Information on the rights of workers under OHS legislation is here.
IEU OHS Training
The IEU provides its members with a number of courses to upskill you as a Health and Safety Rep.
HSR Initial OHS Training Course -
five dates in total
The IEU Victoria Tasmania HSR Initial OHS Training Course provides health and safety reps with the knowledge, skills and confidence to enable them to exercise their powers for the purpose of representing members of their designated workgroup.
This is a course specifically for health and safety reps. The course is not designed or intended to meet the training needs of principals or workplace managers who have a duty to manage safety in the workplace. IEU Victoria Tasmania also provides comprehensive workplace support to principals who are members of the union to assist them to comply with the Act and Regulations.
HSR INITIAL OHS COURSE AIMS
This course aims to provide health and safety representatives with an understanding of the objectives of the OHS Act 2004 and their role under the Act:
Interpreting the occupational health and safety legislative framework and its relationship to the HSR
Identifying key parties and their legislative obligations and duties
Establishing representation in the workplace
Participating in consultation and issue resolution
Represent designated work group members in any OHS risk management process undertaken by the appropriate duty holder/s
Issuing a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) and directing the cessation of work.
Read more and find out if there’s an upcoming course
HSR Refresher OHS Training Course -
Work-related Stress
This WorkSafe approved Refresher training course will assist HSRs’ and Deputy HSRs’ understanding of how they can effectively use their powers when participating in the identification, prevention and control of the risks associated with work-related stress.
Under the OHS Act 2004 (section 67) all elected HSRs and Deputy HSRs have an entitlement to time off work with pay to attend an annual HSR Refresher OHS Training Course and in consultation with their employer, choose the course they wish to attend.
The Act also requires employers to pay course fees and other associated expenses for reps attending training. Employers must be given at least 14 days’ notice of a rep’s intention to attend a course of training.
Read more and find out if there’s an upcoming course
HSR Refresher OHS Training Course -
Work-related Gendered Violence including Sexual Harassment
This WorkSafe-approved training course will help HSRs to understand and exercise their powers effectively. The training will provide HSRs with the confidence, skills and knowledge to represent their designated work group when raising health and safety concerns in relation to work-related gendered violence including sexual harassment. Although HSRs/Deputy HSRs are the primary audience, managers, supervisors, health and safety committee members may also benefit from attending this course.
Under the OHS Act 2004 (section 67) all elected HSRs and Deputy HSRs have an entitlement to time off work with pay to attend an annual HSR Refresher OHS Training Course and in consultation with their employer, choose the course they wish to attend.
The Act also requires employers to pay course fees and other associated expenses for reps attending training. Employers must be given at least 14 days’ notice of a rep’s intention to attend a course of training.
Read more and find out if there’s an upcoming course
HSR Refresher OHS Training Course -
Work-related Violence
This WorkSafe approved Refresher training course will assist HSRs’ and Deputy HSRs’ understanding of how they can effectively use their powers when participating in the identification, prevention and control of the risks associated with work-related violence.
Under the OHS Act 2004 (section 67) all elected HSRs and Deputy HSRs have an entitlement to time off work with pay to attend an annual HSR Refresher OHS Training Course and in consultation with their employer, choose the course they wish to attend.
The Act also requires employers to pay course fees and other associated expenses for reps attending training. Employers must be given at least 14 days’ notice of a rep’s intention to attend a course of training.