Health and Safety Representative HSR | REFRESHER

Statement of Attendance

The HSR training course provides participants with the skills and knowledge to enable them to fulfil the role of Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) as per section 72 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and s.21(1) (b) of the Regulation 2011. OHSA is licensed to deliver this government-approved course. Under s.21 (1) (b), HSRs must attend  1 day’s refresher training at least every 12 months, with the entitlement to the first refresher training commencing 12 months after the initial training.  We can also deliver in-house courses on-site.

This course is designed to renew the knowledge and skills Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) have attained during their initial five-day HSR training course. OHSA is approved by Work Health and Safety Queensland approved provider of this course. HSRs in Queensland are required to attend a one-day refresher course every 12 months, commencing 12 months after their initial five-day course has been completed (as per Section 21 (1) (b) of the Work Health and Safety Act Regulation 2011).

The  key areas covered by this course include:

• Overview of the WHS legislative framework
• Duties of various parties
• Key WHS terminology
• The role of WHSQ and penalties for non‐compliance
• Requirements and mechanisms for consultation in the workplace on work health and safety issues
• The role, entitlements and protections available for HSRs and Health and Safety Committees (HSCs)
• Resolving workplace health and safety issues through negotiation and conflict resolution
• Identifying hazards and ways in which they can be eliminated or minimised
• Incident notification and investigation
• Issuing Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) and directing unsafe work to cease.

Participants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have at least a Year 10 level of numeracy, literacy and communication skills
• Have the ability to read and write English
• Have evidence they have successfully completed the regulator-approved 5-day HSR course.  HSRs with expired certifications may need approval from the Regulator before booking into the refresher.

What’s the role of a health and safety representative?

The primary role of a HSR is to represent the health and safety interests of a workgroup and to raise any issues with their employer. The powers and functions of HSRs are covered under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act).

Who can be a HSR?

Any worker who is a member of a workgroup is eligible to be elected as an HSR unless they have been disqualified from being an HSR.

Can a HSR be personally responsible for mistakes?

HSRs are not personally liable for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith when exercising a power or performing a function under the WHS Act or for anything done that they reasonably believed was authorised under the WHS Act.