Health and safety representative training
All health and safety representatives (HSRs) must undertake the relevant approved training course within 28 days of their election unless a training course is not reasonably available within this period.
Existing HSRs, who have not already completed the training, must complete the training within the required period. If a worker chooses not to undertake the training within the time period, they will no longer be eligible to fulfill the role of HSR and will need to be replaced
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure that a HSR has completed the required training and:
- allow the HSR to choose their training
- allow the HSR to attend the training
- ensure the HSR is paid their usual amount of pay, including any overtime, penalties and allowances the HSR would otherwise earn if they completed their normal duties, and
- pay the training fees and other reasonable costs.
A HSR can only issue a provisional improvement notice (PIN) if they have attended an approved training course.
Training courses approved under section 21 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation), are:
- an initial five-day training course
- a one-day refresher course at least every 12 months. The entitlement to refresher training begins 12 months after the initial training.
As the term of office for an elected HSR is three years (section 64 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011); an election process by the workgroup must be conducted to either re-elect the current HSR or elect a new HSR if the workgroup has requested a HSR.
If a new HSR is elected, they must conduct an initial 5-day HSR training course within 28 days from the day after the HSR is elected by their workgroup (section 21(2)(a) of the WHS Regulation).
If the current HSR is re-elected, they are required to undertake a 1-day refresher training course with an approved RTO within 28 days of the election (section 21(1)(b) of the WHS Regulation).
If the re-elected HSR has not undertaken the refresher training within the 28-day period and the PCBU has a valid reason why, the PCBU can make a request for an exemption to undertake the refresher training outside the 28-day period by emailing WHStraining@oir.qld.gov.au. The request for an exemption must include the following:
- details of the HSR,
- date of last training, and
- reason why training has not been conducted within the 28 days after re-election.
If there is no valid reason/s why the HSR has not received refresher training within the specified time, the HSR will need to attend the 5-day training course again.
The health and safety representatives and health and safety committees page has further information on HSRs.