Your role as an HSR

The responsibility for providing a healthy and safe workplace rests with the PCBU. However, you have an essential role in representing members of your workgroup and bringing issues to the attention of the PCBU. 

As an HSR, you have the following powers and functions:

• represent the workers in their work group concerning WHS matters
• monitor the PCBU’s compliance with the WHS Act
• investigate WHS complaints from members of the workgroup
• inquire into WHS risks to workers. 

As an HSR you can:

• seek and receive information concerning the work health and safety of workers in a workgroup
• inspect the workplace where the workgroup works at any time after giving reasonable notice to the PCBU (or without notice in the event of an incident or any situation involving a serious risk to health or safety)
• attend interviews between a work group member or members (with their consent) and an inspector or the PCBU (e.g. after an incident has occurred, for return-to-work purposes or as part of issue resolution) 
• in some circumstances, direct a work group member to cease unsafe work or issue a provisional improvement notice (PIN).

It is up to you to decide when you exercise your powers and perform your functions (there are no mandatory obligations on you to do so).

Refer to the worker representation and participation guide for detailed information on HSR powers and functions.

PCBUs have obligations to support HSRs, including: 

• consulting with HSRs on work health and safety matters
• allowing HSRs access to information on hazards at the workplace and other information that may impact the health and safety of workers
• providing any resources, facilities and assistance to HSRs to perform their functions
• ensuring HSRs are not disadvantaged for taking on the role of HSR 
• permitting an HSR to accompany an inspector during an inspection of any part of the workplace.