Attention Health and Safety Representatives
The CWU has received a number of queries from Telstra members about the training rights and requirements for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) under the current Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act).
The Act was introduced by the former Labor Government and took effect from 1 January 2012.
It provided for HSRs who had already been trained under the earlier legislation to do a short bridging course so as to be able to exercise all their powers under the new laws.
It also stipulated that any HSR elected after 1 January had the right to attend a training course of his/her own choosing, with the employer obliged to pay the costs of the training.
Any HSR who has not yet undertaken either the bridging training or, in the case of those elected after 1 January 2012, a full training course should contact the CWU immediately so that training can be arranged.
REMEMBER:
- You cannot exercise your full powers under the Act (issue a PIN, direct that work stop) unless you have undergone the required training.
- The HSR has the right to nominate the particular training course he/she will attend. Contact the CWU for advice on union-endorsed HSR training courses.
