Safety Representatives
The following employees have been appointed as the Safety Representatives by their Trade Union:
| Safety Representatives |
|---|
| Unison John Wakeman Phone: 4189 Email: jwakeman |
| Unite Colin McAuley Phone: 3974 Email: ccmcau |
| UCU Darren Calley Phone: 4060 Email: dscall |
They represent employees on health and safety and can assist any employee who has a health and safety concern (you do not need to be a member of their Union to ask for help).
The University is committed to working positively with the Union appointed Safety Representatives to achieve the Universitys goal of a supporting, safe and healthy work environment for all. This web page describes the rights and functions of Safety Representatives so that Heads of Department and managers are clear about what they need to do to support a positive working relationship.
Find out more about trade unions at Essex at www.essex.ac.uk/unions
Functions of a Safety Representative
The following are functions, not responsibilities. Managers cannot direct employees to carry out health and safety tasks in their role as union appointed Safety Representative.
- To represent employees in consultations on matters which may affect the health and safety of the employees they represent, including attendance at Health and Safety Committees.
- To investigate employee complaints, potential hazards and dangerous occurrences at the workplace and to examine the causes of accidents at the workplace;
- To carry out workplaceinspections
- To represent employees in consultations with the Health and Safety Executive and of any other enforcing authority;
Consultation
Safety Representatives attend Health and Safety Committee and Safety Advisory Group. They may also be asked to comment on new documents or attend meetings dealing with specific issues that have a health and safety impact on staff. Heads of Department and Managers need to ensure that they consult the Safety Representatives when planning changes that may affect the health and safety of staff under their control.
Safety Representatives also represent employees in meetings with the enforcing body. If an HSE inspector arranges to visit the workplace, the Safety Representative should be informed and given the opportunity to meet the inspector.
Investigations
Safety Representatives may wish to investigate complaints made by an employee and should be allowed time and facilities to do this. A management representative can accompany the Representative during investigations. They are entitled to investigate RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) reportable incidents, provided it is safe for them to do so. The University would also support their investigation of any safety incident.
OHSAS provides Safety Representatives with anonymous information on accidents that take place on the University. They can request further details about the incident; however the permission of the injured person must be sought before their details are disclosed.
Safety Representatives should normally provide notice to the appropriate manager in writing of any concerns they have about health and safety following their investigations.
Inspections
Safety Representatives are entitled to inspect workplaces provided they have given reasonable notice, in writing, of their intention to do so. They can also carry out an inspection following an accident or dangerous occurrence.
Code of Practice on Managing Health and Safety requires that Heads of Department ensure that regular formal health and safety inspections are carried out of the areas under their control. Inspections should normally be carried out at least annually. There is benefit in joint management / Union inspections and so a Safety Representative should be invited to join the inspection team. To arrange this Heads of Department should advise the Safety Representatives of the three Trade Unions (UCU, Unite and Unison) at least 2 weeks before the proposed inspection date, so that they can agree which Safety Representative will join the inspection team. Following the inspection a copy of the inspection report must be sent to the Safety Representative.
Safety Representative Rights
Safety representatives are entitled to:
- Paid time off:They can have reasonable paid time off as necessary to carry out their functions, and to undergo training in those functions.
- Facilities: They are entitled to appropriate facilities to perform their function. This would normally be a telephone in an area where they can speak privately, suitable storage space, access to the internet, e-mail, photocopiers and notice boards. They also need reasonable access to senior managers to discuss health and safety issues.
- Access to information:They have the right to inspect and take copies of documents (e.g. risk assessments, inspection reports, training and accident records) relating to the health and safety of the workplace or the employees they represent, provided:
- They have the consent of the affected individuals to disclose personal information
- Disclosure does not affect security, business confidentiality or legal proceedings
Further information
If you need to contact a Safety Representative and are not sure which one it is best to approach, you can e-mail them all, and they will agree which one of them would be best placed to deal with the issue.
To find out more about the roles and rights of Union Appointed Safety Representatives you can contact OHSAS or refer to the following HSE Publications:
Consulting workers on health and safety (L146):
Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance (www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l146.pdf Describes what employers need to do to comply with the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (as amended) and Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 (as amended)
Involving your workforce in health and safety (HSG263):
Good practice for all workplaces http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg263.pdf