Health and safety representatives
Health and safety in the workplace is a shared responsibility, and health and safety representatives (HSRs) play a crucial role in ensuring workers have a voice in safety matters.
HSRs can contribute to improving the safety of the offshore renewables workforce by representing their fellow workers, understanding their health and safety concerns and assisting them to participate in decisions that affect them.
To support HSRs in their role, the OIR has developed a HSR Handbook. The HSR Handbook provides guidance on HSR responsibilities under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act including the applied provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011.
An HSR that has completed their accredited training has several important powers to make sure the workplace is safe for their work group.
Inspect the workplace
If there has been a recent accident or if there is an immediate risk, the HSR can inspect the workplace of the work group. They can also inspect the workplace at other times, if they give the employer reasonable notice.
Accompany inspectors
The HSR can go with an OEI inspector when they do an inspection at the workplace.
Represent workers in health and safety talks
If there is no health and safety committee, the HSR can represent workers in discussions with the employer about health and safety issues.
Check health and safety records
The HSR can review the records of the health and safety committee.
Investigate complaints
If work group members have health and safety complaints, the HSR can investigate them.
Stop work in emergencies
If there is an immediate threat to anyone's safety and the supervisor is not available, the HSR can initiate emergency stop-work procedures.
Request an inspection
If the HSR and supervisor cannot agree on how to fix a health and safety hazard, the HSR can ask the OIR for an OEI inspector to inspect the workplace.
Consultant help
If the employer or the OIR agrees, the HSR can get help from a consultant or share information with one.
Consultant in interviews
The HSR can ask the employer for permission to have a consultant present during interviews between a worker and an OEI inspector or employer.
Training will help HSRs make sure they have the skills and knowledge to perform their role effectively.
Training is not mandatory, but without it HSRs will be unable to direct their workers to cease unsafe for issue a provisional improvement notice.
Five-day initial course
Required if you want to fully exercise all your powers as an HSR.
One-day refresher course
HSRs should take a refresher course with an approved provider every year while in office. If you are a re-elected HSR you only need to take the refresher course if you have previously completed the five-day course.