WHS Representative

Work Health and Safety (WHS) Representatives are a crucial part of any workplace, whose primary role is to represent employees in their work group and gather information about health and safety issues at their job.

WHS Representative Responsibilities

Represent Employees In Their Work Group In WHS Matters

When a WHS Representative is elected or hired, a large aspect of their role is to act as a mediator between the employees and employer of their workplace. This allows the employees freedom to express any concerns they may have regarding their own health and safety in the workplace. Acting as a representative could mean conducting face-to-face consultations or, in some cases, via text or email. However it is preferable that interactions are held in person.

Monitor The PCBU’s Compliance With The WHS Act

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a duty of care to anyone involved with the business or undertaking, including workers and visitors. They must ensure the provision and maintenance of a safe work environment, plant and structures, and systems of work.

It is is the businesses obligation to provide adequate facilities, such as bathrooms and dining areas however it’s the WHS representative’s role to make sure they are compliant. More obligations may be required under the WHS Act like monitoring the PCBU compliance, to ensure they are compliant with the act.

To learn more about WHS laws in your state or territory, we recommend researching your states laws (e.g. Safe Work – NSW)

Investigate WHS Complaints

In a workplace there can be many instances where a WHS complaint may be made. Examples of issues resulting in a complaint can be:

• Hazards
• Bullying
• First Aid
• Manual Handling
• Provision Of PPE

There are many more situations where it would be appropriate to raise a WHS complaint. The role of the WHS Representative is to investigate all complaints to determine their legitimacy and what course of action should be taken in the event that the complaint is legitimate. There are also cases where a notifiable incident, such as injury or death, may occur, in which case special steps should be taken in dealing with this.

Inquire Into WHS Risks To Employees

An interesting task that WHS Representatives will undertake is inquiring into WHS Risks in the workplace. A common practise in many workplaces is to tour the job site and investigate any potential risks to workers. When risks have been discovered, it is then up to the WHS Representative to inquire as to why the risks are there, how they developed and the best way of dealing with them. This is a very detailed process and should be undertaken with care and caution, to ensure the best outcome is reached.

WHS Representative Skills

Consolidation Of Information

In WHS Representative roles, a large amount of time will be spent gathering a wide variety of information, which will need to be consolidated and sorted to make it easier to understand and action.

Information Sharing

Once the information has been consolidated it will need to be shared with the relevant individuals/groups. Knowledge of what information is important to share is important, as is sharing it in the most effective way.

Risk Assessment

Assessing risk is a large part of a WHS Representative’s job. It is important to know what different kinds of risks there are and how each one can effect the workplace. Once a risk is assessed, it also important to know how to report it, so that it can be eliminated.

Most businesses will have a WHS risk management system in place, employees may report risks or workplace incidents. Once the risk is reported a WHS representative is likely to refer to the risk management system in place when responding. To learn more about risk management systems, we recommend studying a WHS course.

Record Keeping

Part of the WHS Representative role is to ensure that all complaints, risks, etc are documented correctly to make sure they are actioned appropriately. It is also important to have evidence of these situations, to protect the individuals involved.

Conducting Consultations

One of the main parts of the WHS Representative role is conducting consultations with employees. This is to hear and understand whatever complaint the individual may have. It is important to know how to run these consultations, to most effectively process the information.

Employee/Employer Relations

A WHS Representative asks as a mediator between employees and employers. As such it is necessary to understand how to maintain the relationship between the two. This may also involve conflict resolution, which can be especially helpful.

A Qualification in WHS

A qualification in WHS is one of the best ways to gain the knowledge and skills required to undertake the role.

Previous Experience In WHS

While companies may not require an individual to have previous experience in WHS, it can be an advantage to already have the knowledge and skills on hand. A great way to do this is buy studying a WHS course.

Average Pay WHS Representative

According to seek.com.au, the average pay for a WHS Representative is between $80,000 and $100,000.

How to become a WHS Representative

If this career sounds like something you want to do, we can help you!

Consider enrolling in our Certificate IV in Work Health And Safety course.

The above course is nationally recognised and qualifies individuals for a role as a WHS Representative.

How to enrol

Head to the course page link and select enrol now

Once your enrolment application has been received, we will start processing your application.

After that, your application will take 1 business day to process.

Need more course information

Contact a learning and development consultant at LET Training.

They will be able to send you an information pack on the course and give you a call to discuss your study needs further.

CONTACT LET Training – enquire@lettraining.com.au (02) 9633 3929