Health and safety representative course is compulsory!

Health and safety representative course is compulsory! – The Occupational Health and Safety Act states that companies employing more than 20 employees must appoint representatives to monitor health and safety conditions in the workplace. This is non-negotiable. Rather than complain, companies should make the best of this and ensure employees will attend the best course possible.

One of the key principals of the OHS Act is that work-related hazards, risks and dangers should be addressed through good communication between management and employees. Appointed representatives represent workers when engaging with management on safety and health matters.

According to section 17 of the OHS Act, shops and offices must have at least 1 representative for every 100 workers or part thereof. All other workplaces must have at least 1 representative for every 50 workers or part thereof.

The representative is part of an important link between management and the rest of the organisations employees. The Occupational Health and Safety Act states that a health and safety representative should be a full-time employee who is familiar with the workplace. The representative may perform the following functions in respect of the workplace or section of the workplace for which he has been designated:

• review the effectiveness of health and safety measures;
• identify potential hazards and potential major incidents at the workplace;
• in collaboration with his employer, examine the causes of incidents at the workplace;
• investigate complaints by any employee relating to that employee’s health or safety at work;
• make representation to the employer on general matters affecting the health or safety of employees at the workplace;
• inspect the workplace, including any article, substance, plant, machinery or health and safety equipment at that workplace;
• participate in consultations with inspectors at the workplace and accompany inspectors on inspections of the workplace;
• in his capacity as a health and safety representative, attend meetings of the health and safety committee of which he is a member, in connection with any of the above functions.

A representative shall not incur any civil liability if he failed to do anything that he may do or is required to do. Nevertheless it is essential to have the health and safety representative properly trained.

The employer must provide training to health and safety representatives, but the organisation alone doesn't decide on what training is appropriate. The law states that the employer should provide training as 'reasonably required ?� and agreed as a result of negotiations with worker representatives. All activities of health and safety reps shall be done during ordinary working hours and shall be considered as work. This specifically includes time spent in training.

A well-balanced health and safety course should incorporate theoretical and practical training, so that the learner has the opportunity of being exposed to the requirements and functions of health and safety representatives in a work environment.

The training should also provide ample time for content to be discussed by learners , in order to ensure that they fully understand the Act and, more importantly are able to learn from the experiences of others.

When selecting a training provider, companies should make sure that the course is endorsed by the HWSETA. They should also verify if the lectures are provided by trainers who have first-hand experience.

Training health and safety representatives is compulsory by law. But that doesn't mean that every training provider will make the cut. Be selective and make sure your investment is worth it.