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Safety and health representatives

Frequently asked questions

Content

  1. Who should I contact if I have a question about being a safety and health representative?
  2. What is the process for electing safety and health representatives?
  3. How do I register as a safety and health rep?
  4. If I am re-elected for a second term what do I have to do?
  5. What are my duties/ what is my role?
  6. Who can be nominated as a safety and health representative?
  7. What is the term of office?
  8. What are the employers’ duties to representatives?
  9. Where do I go for S&H Rep training?
  10. What are the functions of a safety and health committee?
  11. How do I resign?
  12. Who do I contact regarding mine site safety and health representatives?
  13. Other contacts for information and support 

1. Who should I contact if I have a question about being a safety and health representative?

  • For all safety and health enquiries, contact WorkSafe via:
    Email: shreps@docep.wa.gov.au
  • To report accidents/ injuries (24 hours)
    Phone: 1800 678 198 (includes after hours)
  • To speak to the WorkSafe Customer Service Call Centre
    Phone: 1300 307 877

2. What is the process for electing safety and health representatives?

  • Anyone in the workplace can ask for the election of a safety and health representative.
  • Anyone who works at that workplace is eligible to be elected
  • Within 21 days of receiving the request, the employer must invite employees to appoint delegates who will participate in consultations about the election.
  • Agreements on the following should be reached before holding an election:
    • The number of representatives
    • The person who is to conduct the election
    • How the election will be conducted
  • If only one nomination for election is received, then that nominee is elected unopposed and there is no requirement for a ballot. The person organising the election must still use the Election Notification Form to notify the Commissioner of the outcome.
  • If more than one nomination is received, then a secret ballot is held allowing any employee from the workplace to vote.
  • Once the election has taken place, the person holding the election process should then notify the employer in writing of the outcome.
  • The person conducting the election must notify the WorkSafe Western Australia Commissioner of the outcome by using the Notification of Election form.
  • The elected or re-elected safety and health representative can then complete the following form to register with WorkSafe: Register an Elected Safety and Health Representative.
  • For more information click here: Electing SHReps,  and Establishing Safety and health Committees.

3. How do I register as a safety and health rep?

You need to fill in and return 2 forms from our website:

Send a copy of each form to WorkSafe by:

Fax: 9321 8973
Mail: PO Box 294, West Perth, 6872
In person: L5, WestCentre, 1260 Hay St, West Perth

Once WorkSafe has received your forms, your details will be entered into our database to give you a SHRep number and a registration number. We will then send you a registration kit which includes:

  • A letter of confirmation of registration;
  • An ID card;
  • A copy of the Safety and Health Representatives Handbook;
  • A CD containing many relevant publications including Codes of Practice, Guidance Notes, Bulletins, and other useful information;
  • A publications list to help you order publications for your workplace; and
  • A bookmark with useful WorkSafe contact numbers on.

4. If I am re-elected for a second term what do I have to do?

  • After 2 years, your registration expires, so you will have to re-register with us. We will then send you a new ID card, and a kit that contains an updated version of the publications CD and the Safety and Health Representatives Handbook.
  • Please re-register using these forms:
  • You should then seek 2 day refresher training through WorkSafe’s Accredited Training Providers

5. What are my duties / what is my role?

  • Safety and Health Representatives are the key to communication between employers and employees. Your functions include:
    • Regular inspections of the workplace (every 30 days is the minimum requirement in the Act)
      Immediate investigation of any accident, dangerous incident or risk of serious injury/ harm to any person (this can be done in conjunction with your employer or on your own)
    • Keep up to date with safety and health information (available from government and other bodies - ask for this from your employer, or get them to cover the cost)
    • Report hazards in the work place to the employer
    • Consult and cooperate with the employer on any safety and health matters
    • Refer any relevant matters to a safety and health committee if there is one at your workplace
    • Liaise with employees about safety and health matters
  • Carrying out of these functions should be agreed between the employer and the employees before the election. The role of a SHR is to mediate between the employer and the employees to get the conversation started.
  • SHRs are NOT liable for accidents/incidents that occur in the workplace
  • SHRs are NOT Occupational Safety and Health managers and are not expected to implement any changes
  • SHRs are NOT expected to be experts – if you need any help, contact WorkSafe: shreps@commerce.wa.gov.au or 1300 307 877

These are set out in the publication the Safety and Health Representatives Handbook which is sent to you when you register as a Safety and Health Representative. To register, fill in the Registration form and make sure your employer/ manager has filled in the Election Notification form.

6. Who can be nominated as a safety and health representative?

Any person who works at the workplace to which the election relates and who works within the group they are elected to represent.

7. What is the term of office?

A SHR is elected for 2 years unless they:

  • cease employment with that workplace;
  • are transferred to a different workplace;
  • resign; or
  • are disqualified.

8. What are the employers’ duties to representatives?

Employers’ duties outlined in the OSH Act and Regulations include:

  • Providing necessary information to assist safety and health representatives (SHRs) which is relevant to hazards or potential hazards in the workplace
  • Allowing an SHR to be present at an interview/meeting with an employee on a matter of OSH if the employee requests this
  • Consulting with SHRs on any proposed changes which may be reasonably expected to affect the safety or health of employees before their implementation
  • Giving SHRs time off their normal duties at regular (or better) pay to perform SHR functions
  • Giving SHRs 5 days off at regular pay to attend an accredited introductory training of their choice within 12 months of being elected (or two days off for re-elected SHRs for the refresher training) as per the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 
  • Notifying SHRs immediately after an accident or a dangerous occurrence
  • Providing necessary facilities and assistance to the SHR which must be agreed upon through consultation between the employer and the SHR

The Occupational Safety and Health Act and Regulations can be viewed via our website.

9. Where do I go for S&H Rep training?

There are a number of Training Providers accredited through WorkSafe to provide training:

10. What are the functions of a safety and health committee?

A safety and health committee provides a forum for the employer and employee to meet and make decisions on improvements to safety and health in the workplace. It provides a mechanism for developing policies and procedures and for discussion of issues that have a significant impact on the whole organisation.

For further information see WorkSafe Bulletin No. 7 on Safety and Health Committees

11. How do I resign?

  • Notify your employer
  • Notify WorkSafe via:

Email: shreps@docep.wa.gov.au
Fax: 9321 8973
Post:  PO Box 294
West Perth 6872

2. Who do I contact regarding mine site safety and health representatives?

Mine site safety is dealt with under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.

For information on the Act, being a mining SHR and working on a mine site, please contact Resources Safety:

13. Other contacts for information and support

WorkSafe Contact numbers:

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