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Health and Safety Representatives helping keep workplaces safe
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Serious workers’ compensation claims everyday
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Workers died from traumatic work-related injuries in 2024
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Average penalty from WHS prosecutions
We refuses to accept the daily reality of workplace deaths, 188 is unacceptable.
Become a Health and Safety Representative Today
Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) play an important role in representing the health and safety interests of workers in their work group. They are workers who have been elected by their colleagues to raise safety concerns, identify hazards and make sure workers have a voice when decisions are made about health and safety.
Union workplaces are safer workplaces, and union-trained HSRs play a vital role in making that happen. An HSR can inspect the workplace, investigate health and safety concerns, consult with workers and work with the employer to address risks before they lead to injuries or illness. They can also help workers understand their rights and make sure those rights are respected.
The AMWU supports and trains HSRs so they have the knowledge and confidence to represent their workmates effectively. We will always fight for better working conditions and safer workplaces, but strong health and safety representatives give workers a voice on the ground every day.
Being an HSR is an important responsibility and an opportunity to make a real difference. Your contribution, leadership and willingness to stand up for your workmates can help make your workplace safer for everyone.
The responsibilities of an HSR include:
Representing the health and rights of workers on work health and safety matters
Monitoring the work health and safety actions and policies undertaken by the employer
Investigating any work health and safety complaints from workers of the work group
Investigating complaints from workers relating to health and safety
Requesting to establish a Health and Safety Committee
Looking into anything that may pose a risk to the overall workplace health and safety of the workers they represent.
Electing a HSR?
Electing a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is an important way for workers to have a say in health and safety at work. HSRs play an important role in representing their workmates and making sure health and safety concerns are heard in the workplace.
The forms below are available to support workers and workplaces through the HSR election process. They can be used to help document the different stages of the process and make sure the relevant information is provided to the right people.
Whether you are establishing a new HSR position, running an election or completing the necessary notifications, these forms provide a simple way to support the process and keep a record of the relevant information.
Notice to employer/PCBU to negotiate work group
Nomination form for HSR election
Notice for election of HSR
Notification to employer/PCBU on the election of HSR
Notification to AMWU on election of HSR
Request for paid leave to attend approved training
Frequently Asked Questions
HSR stands for Health and Safety Representative. An HSR is a worker elected by their fellow workers to represent them on health and safety matters in the workplace.
HSRs represent workers on health and safety issues, raise concerns with management, inspect the workplace and work with workers and employers to identify and address hazards. They help make sure workers have a voice in decisions about their health and safety.
Workers know their workplaces better than anyone. HSRs give workers a direct voice on health and safety and help make sure hazards are identified and addressed before someone gets hurt.
HSRs are elected by the workers they represent in their workplace or work group. If you want to become an HSR, speak with your fellow workers about standing for election and contact the AMWU for support and advice.
Yes, HSRs are entitled to complete approved health and safety training so they can properly carry out their role. The AMWU provides support and education to help HSRs understand their rights and responsibilities.
Yes, HSRs can raise health and safety concerns with their employer and represent the workers they were elected to represent. They can work with management to identify hazards, address risks and improve health and safety in the workplace.
HSRs have important powers under health and safety laws, including powers relating to serious risks to workers. The specific powers and processes can vary depending on the circumstances and the laws that apply to your workplace. The AMWU can help HSRs understand and exercise their rights.
HSRs have rights to inspect their workplace for health and safety purposes. Workplace inspections can help identify hazards, understand the risks workers face and make sure safety issues are properly addressed.
Yes. HSRs can represent workers on health and safety matters, including concerns about hazards, incidents and workplace injuries. They can raise issues with the employer and work with the AMWU to make sure workers have support.
The AMWU supports HSRs through education, training and advice on workplace health and safety. Our union helps HSRs build the knowledge and confidence they need to represent their fellow workers and fight for safer workplaces.