Information For Health And Safety Representatives/Deputy Health & Safety Representatives

A health & safety representative or deputy health & safety representative is an employee representative who has been elected for a term of 3 years by the staff in a DWG to represent their health and safety interests using the procedures outlined in the Monash University Procedures for health and safety issue resolution. Employees with day to day experience of a particular work process are a valuable source of information and can advise on situations with the potential to cause injury or illness. These employees can also offer ideas on how the hazards can be best addressed.

Election Of Health & Safety Representatives/Deputy Health & Safety Representatives

• Elections for health and safety representatives/deputy health and safety representatives are held every three years
• The procedures for the election of health & safety representatives are available on the Occupational Health and Safety web site 
• Nomination forms are available on the Occupational Health and Safety web site 

Rights Of Health & Safety Representatives/Deputy Health & Safety Representatives

Health & safety representatives and their deputies have a range of statutory rights under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 that include the right to:

• be consulted, so far as is reasonably practicable, on:
  • any proposed changes in the workplace or to the materials, equipment or procedures used that may affect the health and safety of staff;
  • risk assessment of new and existing materials, equipment or procedures that may affect the health and safety of staff;
  • the development of occupational health and safety policies and procedures;
  • Occupational health and safety hazard and incident investigation;
  • the provision of occupational health and safety information, instruction and training.
• direct work to cease where there is an immediate threat to the health and safety of any person
• inspect any part of the workplace at which a member of the area that they represent works, at any time giving reasonable notice to the relevant head of academic/administrative unit or controlled entity and immediately in the event of an incident or hazardous situation;
• attend workplace inspections and audits, including those carried out by WorkSafe Victoria;
• be given access to any information, except that which is medically confidential on
  • the health and safety of the staff in the area they represent and
  • the actual or potential hazards in the workplace
• paid leave to attend health and safety training courses
• have access to the facilities and assistance to enable them to perform their role

Absence Of Health & Safety Representative/Deputy Health & Safety Representative

If a health and safety representatives/deputy health and safety representative is absent they should:

• make arrangements for:
  • another health and safety representative to cover their area during their absence; or for
  • all occupational health and safety related matters to be referred to the relevant safety officer
• follow the consultation procedures outlined in'Procedures for Occupational Health and Safety consultation on proposed changes to the workplace' 

Documents Useful To Health & Safety Representatives/Deputy Health & Safety Representatives

Documents include:

• Occupational Health and Safety Policy
• Monash University Occupational Health and Safety Strategic Plan 2007-2009
• Procedures for hazard and incident reporting, investigation and recording
• First Aid procedures
• Risk control program
• Workplace inspection program
• Bullying & occupational violence in the workplace - managing incidents
• Occupational health and safety procedures for work and study during times when emergency response is limited
• Procedures for Work & study during times when emergency response is limited
• Procedures for health and safety issue resolution
• Immunisation Procedures
• Alcohol and other drug issues among staff and students
• Guidelines for safe work instructions

OHSE Resources Available To Health And Safety Representatives/Deputy Health & Safety Representatives

• Your safety officer
• Your health & safety representative/deputy health & safety representative 
• Your local OHSE consultant
• Occupational Health and Safety documents 
• Occupational Health and Safety forms 
• Employee induction program
• Occupational Health and Safety training courses 

Training courses are also tailored to meet the needs of individual units or campuses. Contact your OHSE consultant.

• Chemical safety information
• Radiation safety information

Occupational Health and Safety can be contacted on (03) 9905-1013 or by email

Training Recommended For Health & Safety Representatives/Deputy Health & Safety Representatives

Health and safety representatives are required to attend a minimum of 2 days occupational health and safety training per year in order to effectively fulfill their occupational health and safety roles.

Newly appointed health and safety representatives are also required to attend the 5 day health and safety representative course offered by various external providers.

Courses to be attended by health and safety representatives are as follows:

• Health and Safety Representative 5 day training course (essential)
• Health and Safety Representative refresher 1 day training course (essential)
• Hazard & Incident Management (essential)
• Prevention of Occupational Bullying & Violence (essential)
• Risk Management Workshop (essential)
• Emergency Warden Training (recommended)
• Hazardous Substances & Dangerous Goods (essential hwere the work/studey area includes exposure to the hazard)
• Workplace Safety Inspections (essential)