Safety & Health Representative Nomination Guide

Introduction

Under the WA Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, workplaces have a legal entitlement to nominate and elect Safety and Health Representatives (SHR), who provide a number of useful functions to assist in the provision of safe workplaces and safe work practices for the benefit and well being of employees and visitors.  There are around 50 nominated workplaces at the University, which have been allocated according to administrative and geographical criteria.  Most of these workplaces have elected Safety & Health Representatives who are available to assist with safety and health related matters.  Contact UWA Safety and Health (S&H), on 6488 3938 for further information.

Eligibility to become a Safety & Health Representative

To become a Safety & Health Representative you must be an employee who works at the workplace and has

• Been continuously employed at the University during the preceding 2 years
• Had a total of at least 2 years experience in work of a similar nature to the work at the workplace
• Had such training and approval by the WorkSafe Commissioner as required

What’s involved in being a Safety & Health Representative?

SHRs have legal entitlements under the Occupational Safety and Health Act to

• Inspect workplaces at such times as agreed with the employer
• Immediately, in the event of an accident, a dangerous occurrence or a risk of imminent and serious injury to, or imminent and serious harm to the health of, any person, carry out an appropriate investigation in respect of the matter
• Keep informed as to safety and health information provided by their employer
• Refer matters to the safety and health committee that should be considered by the committee
• Consult and cooperate with their employer on all matters relating to the safety and health of persons in the workplace
• Liaise with the employees regarding matters concerning the safety or health of persons in the workplace

For further information about the responsibilities of being a Safety & Health Representative see: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/shr_responsibilities 

Other considerations of being a Safety & Health Representative are that they are

• Required to be registered (Form 3) with WorkSafe WA within 14 days of becoming elected
• Within one year of being elected, complete the introductory 5-day Safety & Health Representative course. This course fee is paid by the workplace / employer and you will be provided time off with pay to attend
• Elected for a two year period, after which time another election is required should you wish to continue being a SHR
• Do not receive payment for being a SHR
• Incurs no civil liability arising from your performance of, or failure to perform any function as a SHR
• Have the same duties and responsibilities as other employees in respect to their general duties of care

Election of Safety & Health Representative

The election of a Safety & Health Representative involves: notice or invitation for election, consultation and then the election process. If after due consultation there is only one nomination then they may be appointed. Otherwise a secret ballot within the relevant workplace, which is arranged by UWA Safety & Health Office and the Unions is required.

Calls for Nominations - Annual Call

Calls for nominations at the University are made in February each year for all workplaces which at the time do not have a current Safety & Health Representative or for which the current SHRs two year term is about to expire.  The call for nominations is via an All-staff email and written correspondence to University Management seeking their support in obtaining suitable nominations.  The aim is to have all Safety & Health Representative declared by the end of March.

Submitting a Nomination to become a Safety & Health Representative

• before seeking nomination you should first discuss your intentions with your supervisor and area manager
• fill in the nomination form found at: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/people/nomination_form
• Mail the completed form to “UWA Central Mail Room, SHR”, or you can deliver it in person to the box located at the Mail Room as per instruction in the All-staff email

• If only one nomination is received, that nominee automatically becomes the SHR.  If more than one nomination is received an election may be held.  UWA Safety & Health will facilitate this process

Seeking Nomination at Other Times

At other times of the year you should:

• Check that your work area does not already have a SHR. If it does not, then proceed to the next step.  If your work area already has a SHR, then you may have to wait for the next election round when the current Safety & Health Representative's 2 year term expires. This call for nominations commences in February of each year.
• Advise your supervisor, area manager and UWA Safety & Health (6488 3938) of your intentions.
• Arrange for all staff in your workplace to be advised of your nomination and provide others with an opportunity to also nominate by a suitable date.  If no other nominations are received then a ballot is not necessary and you are duly elected.

Once elected you will be advised by UWA Safety & Health (for annual call for nominations) or you should contact UWA Safety & Health (for nominations at other times) to confirm your election.  UWA Safety & Health will provide written notification to the management of your workplace of your election.

The process is then

• Within 14 days of being elected you need to complete a Form 3
• Send this completed (and signed) Form 3 to UWA Safety & Health (Mail Bag 350), who will arrange for it to be signed before being forwarded to WorkSafe WA
• WorkSafe WA will issue you directly with a Safety & Health Representative starter kit and WorkSafe Safety & Health Representative number, which should be prefaced with the year of issue and which is only valid for two years or upon resignation, whichever occurs first
• WorkSafe will ensure you receive relevant safety related information whilst you continue to have a current Safety & Health Representative number
• Advise UWA Safety & Health of your Safety & Health Representative number so that the List of Safety & Health Representative personnel on the web can be updated, refer:    http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/people/safety_and_health_representatives
• UWA Safety & Health will also ensure that you are included in the Safety & Health Representative email group and able to participate in the annual call for Safety & Health Representative nominations on the University Safety Committee
• You are required to complete an introductory 5-day Safety & Health Representative course within one year of becoming elected if you have not already completed such a course
• Refer to the following link for Safety & Health Representative course service providers: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/courses#reps
• Your workplace is required to release you on pay to attend the 5-day Safety & Health Representative course and to also pay the course fee.  There is a partial refund of the course fee on application to UWA Safety & Health. 
• To obtain the course refund please ensure a copy of your Safety & Health Representative course certificate and a T-form is sent to UWA Safety & Health. 

Whilst you are a Safety & Health Representative

Whilst serving as a Safety & Health Representative you should

• actively fulfill your Safety & Health Representative functions and responsibilities
• provide safety leadership and support within your workplace
• keep updated with safety and health developments through following up information provided by the University email groups and arising from Safety Committee meetings
• participate in safety related training as necessary

For further information see WorkSafe WA Safety and Health Representatives website.