Health and Safety Representative Training South Africa
Altra Medical provides practical Health and Safety Representative training for employees appointed or elected to represent workers on occupational health and safety matters. The course helps learners understand their functions, rights, responsibilities and role in workplace inspections, hazard reporting, incident review and health and safety committee participation.
Functions of Safety Representatives
Health and Safety Representatives are nominated and elected by the employees they represent. They should be full-time employees who are familiar with the workplace or section of the workplace for which they are elected.
The employer must consult with employees on the nomination, election and appointment process and must provide Health and Safety Representatives with the facilities, assistance and training reasonably necessary for them to perform their functions effectively.
Where two or more Health and Safety Representatives have been designated, a Health and Safety Committee must be established.
A Health and Safety Representative performs these functions as part of their normal employment and does not take over the employer’s legal responsibility for occupational health and safety.
It is important to note that they have rights, powers and functions, unlike the employer who has responsibilities. They should be nominated and elected by the workforce.
- Review the effectiveness of health and safety measures of the employer
- Identify potential hazards
- Help his employer to examine the causes of incidents at the workplace
- Investigate complaints by any employee relating to the employee’s health and safety at work
- Make representations to his employer relating to health and safety matters.
- Inspect the workplace, including any article, substance, plant, machinery or equipment
- Consult with inspectors at the workplace and accompany them on inspections of the workplace
- Attend health and safety committee meetings
Safety Representatives take on the above-mentioned responsibilities in addition to their regular full-time jobs.
Duties of employers towards OHS Representatives
The employer shall provide facilities, assistance and training as the Health and Safety Representatives may reasonably require for the carrying out of his functions.
Health and Safety Representative Training – 2 Days
Health and Safety Representatives need more than a title or appointment letter. They need to understand the legal framework, their rights and functions, how to inspect the workplace, how to identify and report hazards, and how to participate effectively in the workplace health and safety system.
This two-day course gives learners the practical knowledge and skills needed to perform the role effectively and to participate meaningfully in inspections, incident review, employee consultation and Health and Safety Committee activities.
What Learners Will Be Able to Do
- Explain the health and safety requirements that apply to employers, employees, Health and Safety Representatives and Health and Safety Committees.
- Explain the rights, powers and functions of a Health and Safety Representative.
- Conduct workplace health and safety inspections to identify hazards and risks.
- Identify and report unsafe conditions and health and safety concerns.
- Participate in incident reviews and discussions about corrective action.
- Make recommendations to the employer or Health and Safety Committee.
- Participate effectively in Health and Safety Committee activities.
- Consult with employees and management on workplace health and safety matters.
- Understand how the Health and Safety Representative role fits into the wider OHS compliance system.