Initial OH&S Training of Health and Safety Representatives (5 days) (WorkSafe approved)
This practical five day course is an introduction to health and safety in the workplace which aims to give OH&S representatives, managers, supervisors and others the basic knowledge and skills to successfully perform their roles and duties.
The course will enable participants to:
- Understand the legal framework for OH&S
- Describe the roles and powers of the key workplace parties (not HSR'S) in the OH&S Act 2004.
- Understand the representation role of HSR's and their legal powers and entitlements
- Understand the role and representative powers of a HSR in the identification of hazards and risk controls at the workplace
- Develop the skills to represent members of a DWG and participate in workplace consultation, issue resolution and negotiation.
Entitlements for Health and Safety Representatives
COHST is approved to provide WorkSafe OH&S courses. Under the OH&S Act 2004 there are new arrangements for training of HSR's The Act 2004 creates a legal entitlement for HSR's to receive training in OH&S at an initial level. This entitlement allows HSR's to attend training courses that are either delivered by WorkSafe or by an approved training provider such as COHST.
Under the OH&S Act 2004 the training entitlements for HSR include:
- Initial HSR training
- Refresher HSR training
- Other approved training
- According to section 67(1) of the OH&S ACT 2004 an employer must if requested by HSR, allow that HSR to attend an initial course of training in OH&S after being elected. The HSR is also entitled to undertake refresher training at least once in each year that he/she holds office after completing the initial training course. This entitlement also extends to deputy HSR's (see section 57(3) of the OH&S Act. See http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe/Home/Laws+and+Regulations/Acts+and+Regulations/
Main Topics
- Introduction to Health and safety Legislation including:
- Difference between common law and statute law
- General provisions of the act
- Duties of employers/employees and others
- Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2004
- Subordinate legislation, codes of practice and how to use them including:
- Functions and roles of health and safety representatives, supervisors, managers, committees and government inspectors
- Communication and negotiation
- Hazard identification, risk assessment and control (including Hierarchy of Control)
- Inspections
- Investigations
- Accessing information and basic record keeping
- Committees and action planning
Learning outcomes
- Apply knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Codes and Standards
- Outline the key objectives of the Victorian OHS Act 2004
- Describe the duties of the various parties under the OHS Act 2004
- Describe the role and functions of health and safety representatives, deputy health and safety representatives, health and safety committees, and Authorised Representatives of Registered Employee Organisations (ARREOs)
- Describe the process for resolving health and safety issues in the workplace
- Describe the role and powers of inspectors and outline the review of decisions process
- Understand the transition arrangements and new penalties
- Access and utilise relevant legislation and compliance codes
Duration
35 hours (5 days - one day a week over 5 weeks or over 1 week)
Fee
$795
Prerequisites
None
Certification
Participants who successfully complete the course will be awarded Swinburne University of Technology WorkSafe approved Certificate of Attendance
Missed Training Days
Students will not be allowed to attend Day 3 of their 5 day training if they have missed either or both of Day 1 and 2. They must contact COHST office and book into the next scheduled course.
Students will not be deemed to have successfully completed the Initial OH&S Training of Health and Safety Representatives 5 Day unless they have attended all their 5 days.
All students who have missed one or more days from this course must complete their catch up classes within 6 months of their initial course. If you miss one of your days please contact the COHST office to reschedule your attendance on a future course where you will need to attend the day/s that you have missed.
Course Venue
You may choose to attend one of the programmed courses run throughout the year at Swinburne University of Technology or ask for the course to be presented on-site for your organisation. In this case the course would be tailored to meet your specific training needs.
Class numbers
ALL our courses have a maximum of 20 participants per class.
Course Cancellation Policy
- 3+ weeks prior to program: full refund
- 2 weeks prior to program: fee refund less 25%, unless transferred to another COHST program.
- Less than 2 weeks: no refund, unless transferred to another COHST program.
- Swinburne University reserves the right to cancel courses at any time. In this case, money paid is fully refunded.
Scheduled Course Dates
See our calendar for your choice of course dates..
Enrolment
To enrol, please go to Short Course Training Booking Forms site.
Course Program
Click here to download the program for the course
