Stopping unsafe work
Information for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) about stopping unsafe work in their work group.
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Who can stop unsafe work
As an HSR you can only direct workers to stop unsafe work if you have:
- completed an accredited 5-day training course
- previously completed that training when acting as an HSR for another work group, or
- completed training equivalent to that training under a corresponding WHS law.
You can direct a worker in your workgroup to stop unsafe work if you have a reasonable concern that the worker would be exposed to a serious health and safety risk (physical or psychological), caused by an immediate or imminent exposure to a hazard.
Before issuing the direction to stop unsafe work
Before issuing the direction to stop work, you must consult with your person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to try and resolve the matter as an issue under Division 5 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. This is unless the risk is so serious and immediate that it’s not reasonable to do so. In this situation, you must consult as soon as practicable after giving the direction to stop work.
Workers directed to stop work must remain available to carry out suitable alternative work.
Requesting SafeWork NSW to assist
If there’s an issue in relation to a direction to cease unsafe work, a worker, a PCBU, or an HSR can ask SafeWork NSW to appoint an inspector to help resolve the issue.