Functions of Health and Safety Representatives
“Empowering the Internal Voice of Safety and Compliance”
Course description
The Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is the vital link between the workforce and management. This course provides the legal and technical competency required for elected representatives to fulfil their statutory duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. We focus on transforming representatives into proactive "Safety Partners" who can identify technical risks in workshops and electrical substations before they lead to incidents.
Course outcomes
Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to:
- Interpret Legal Mandates: Explain the statutory rights and duties of an HSR as defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and relevant regulations.
- Conduct Workplace Inspections: Perform systematic, documented "Safety Walks" to identify physical and procedural hazards in technical environments.
- Identify Specialized Risks: Spot industry-specific hazards such as improper Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO), inadequate machine guarding, and electrical non-compliance.
- Participate in Incident Investigations: Assist in analysing "near-misses" and accidents to identify root causes and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Facilitate Safety Committees: Prepare data-driven reports and actively participate in Health and Safety Committee meetings to represent the interests of their designated work area.
- Manage Employee Concerns: Act as a formal liaison, effectively communicating employee safety grievances or suggestions to senior management and Section 16.2 appointees.
- Exercise Stop-Work Recommendations: Understand the legal threshold and procedures for recommending the cessation of work when an immediate, life-threatening hazard is detected.
- Promote Safety Culture: Educate peers on the "Why" behind safety protocols, fostering a culture of asset ownership and professional pride.
Topics to be discussed:
- Module 1 - Theory Of Health & Safety Management
- Module 2 - Legal Requirements
- Module 3 - Risk And Hazard Identification
- Module 4 - Reporting The Findings
- Module 5 - Incident Investigations
- Module 6 - The Health & Safety Committee
Who should attend:
- Newly Elected H&S Representatives
- Existing H&S Representatives (Refresher)
- Workshop Technicians & Fitters
- Electricians & Wiremen
- Site Teams
- Site Supervisors & Foremen
- Maintenance Managers
- H&S Committee Chairpersons
- Safety Officers
Benefits of attending:
- Understanding their legal "Stop-Work" recommendations and inspection rights.
- Identifying specific mechanical and electrical hazards during daily routines.
- Learning how to integrate HSR feedback into the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
