The Health and Safety Representative and Deputy HSR should be seen as key Sub-Branch Officers who, while having a specific area of responsibility, will work with and through the sub-branch to represent its members and other staff.

Electing a Health and Safety Representative

Under the current Act, members of the Designated Work Group may elect one member of the group to be the Health and Safety Representative. All employees are entitled to vote in the election for the HSR. The Act does not require that the Health and Safety Representative is an AEU member, but it would be preferable for this to be the case.

The law is very clear that this is a post that can ONLY be filled by someone who has been chosen by members of the Designated Work Group to represent them. To avoid any potential clash of interests it is important to ensure that the Health and Safety Representative is properly elected to represent their DWG and that the Principal makes the decision about who takes on the role of Management OHS Nominee to represent the employer.

The Role of the Health and Safety Representative
For information on the role of the HSR click here.