Workplace Health and Safety Representatives: the Queensland Experience

By R Vanderkruk

There is a legislative provision for workplace health and safety representative (WHSR) appointments in Qld, but there is no mandatory requirement for elected WHSRs to complete accredited OHS training, no compulsion for participation in OHS committees, and the WHSRs have few powers.

Despite all this it is still possible that the elected WHSRs. will enhance OHS performance in a workplace. This article summaries an evaluation of their effectiveness. A review is provided of training requirements in different jurisdictions and the factors that may assist WHSRs. to be more effective. Examples drawn from qualitative data are used to demonstrate how some WHSRs. have achieved positive change.

(Journal of Occupational Health and Safety Australia and New Zealand, vol. 19, no. 5, October 2003)