Implement work safety requirements

3. Designated WHS reps

Every VPS department will have a health and safety representative (HSR), representing the WHS needs of a designated work group (DWG).

A DWG may be a separate government branch or department or a smaller group of employees such as the finance or IT team.

‘The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, enables a Health and safety representative (HSR) to raise issues to management that require resolution and provides then with a mechanism to take unresolved issues further, if necessary.’ (DET)

Meeting, Team, Workplace, Group, Diversity, People

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay, accessed 09/09/2021

A HSR’s role may vary slightly between departments but often includes tasks such as:

attending management meetings to discuss and present WHS concerns
inspecting workplaces for WHS risks
reporting on addressed and unaddressed WHS issues to management or externally if required
representing individual needs of employees in the DWG such as employees with disabilities or language difficulties.

It is important to know who the HSR is for your workplace and the procedures for reporting any WHS issues. To learn more about the role of a HSR, read through the Health and safety representatives and committees.

Implement work safety requirements

3. Designated WHS reps

Weblink: Health and safety representatives and committees