WHSO, WHSR and committees
Workplace health and safety officers (WHSO) are appointed by employers and principal contractors where there are 30 or more people at the workplace to provide advice about workplace health and safety. They carry out inspections and audits, set up educational programs about workplace health and safety, help investigate all workplace incidents and conduct annual workplace assessments. WHSOs require special training.
Refer to Part 8 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (PDF, 766 KB) for specific requirements in relation to WHSOs.
Workplace health and safety representatives (WHSR) are elected by fellow workers. Representatives are entitled to carry out inspections and review the circumstances of workplace incidents. They are also entitled to participate in the workplace health and safety committee. A workplace health and safety representative does not need any experience or special qualifications, but is entitled to be paid training on request.
Refer to Part 7 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 for specific requirements in relation to WHSRs.
Workplace health and safety committees help in the cooperation between employers and workers. A committee member must be an employer, principal contractor or worker at the workplace. A committee considers health and safety issues and reports on these to the employer. An employer may form a workplace health and safety committee on his or her own initiative, but must do so if the WHSR requests it.
Refer to Part 7 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 for specific requirements in relation to workplace health and safety committees.
Last updated March 23, 2007