October is National Safe Work Month, a time to commit to building a safe and healthy workplace.
SafeWork NSW is due to launch three powerful videos about the importance of Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) and workplace safety, at their one-day free HSR refresher training session on Wednesday 30 October 2024.
The videos highlight the critical role HSRs play in fostering a safe working environment. In one segment, Laura Anderson, an intensive care nurse at Shoalhaven Hospital, recalls the shock of hearing her colleague scream during an avoidable patient attack. As a proud HSR, Laura reflects, “I do find it very rewarding. The staff are very thankful.” She also emphasises the importance of translating safety into action, stating, “If we are keeping our colleagues safe, that in turn keeps the patients safe.”
HSRs play a pivotal role in gathering information and resolving health and safety issues for their work group.
SafeWork NSW is partnering with Unions NSW to deliver the full-day event in Surry Hills where a range of initiatives will provide more clarity on HSR roles and their powers under Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. The event will include:
- Sessions with the Minister of Work Health Safety Sophie Cotsis, Assistant Secretary of Unions NSW Thomas Costa and SafeWork NSW A/Deputy Secretary Trent Curtin
- An explanation of the WHS legislation, and how it applies to elected HSR roles
- A presentation from Debra Pascall from the Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group discussing her son Ben’s story, who died in a workplace-related incident
- Information about powers under the WHS legislation to issue Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) and how to direct unsafe work to cease
- The ability to network with fellow HSRs and share experiences
- The latest updates and insights on workplace consultation and safety standards.
The program will also cover essential topics including the management of psychosocial hazards such as bullying, excessive workloads, violence and the prevention of sexual harassment.
HSRs can register for the event here: HSR Refresher Training Day: You Make a Difference! | SafeWork NSW
Further information about HSRs can be found here: Health and safety representative's toolkit | SafeWork NSW
You can view the three case study promotional videos here: HSR forum promotional video
This event follows the highly successful Regional Workplace Consultation and HSR forums held earlier this year which attracted over 600 attendees across nine locations. Participants benefited from 230 evaluations, 320 psychosocial workshops, and 280 high risk harm workshops. Read the full report here.
Quotes attributable to Head of SafeWork Trent Curtin:
“The day-long event reinforces the important role of health and safety representatives and will help participants receive the latest information from SafeWork NSW to help them meet their obligations and network with other HSRs.
“The videos show how Health and Safety Representatives play a critical role in identifying and resolving workplace risks on behalf of their work group, a process which creates open and positive safety cultures. I commend the HSRs in the case studies for standing up, speaking out and advocating for workers. Every worker has the right to return home safely at the end of every workday.”
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