H&S Rep Development

H&S Rep Development


As an elected Health and Safety Representative (H&S Rep) the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (external link) (HSWA) provides H&S Reps with a number of functions and powers(external link) such as:

  • representing workers on health and safety matters
  • making recommendations on health and safety
  • investigating complaints and risks to worker health and safety
  • monitoring health and safety measures taken by the PCBU
  • giving feedback to the PCBU about how it is meeting its duties

HSWA gives additional powers to H&S Reps only after they have completed HSR health and safety training specified in the Regulations for Worker Engagement, Participation and Representation(external link)  are they allowed to exercise powers, like issuing Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) or directing work to cease.

 

H&S Rep training

The PCBU must fund the H&S Representative training and allow access to the training as soon as is practicable, and the PCBU must respond no later than three months after the request to attend training has been received. The PCBU must fund the health and safety training costs and any related expenses incurred.

H&S Reps are given an annual training entitlement to attend training. As set out in the H&S Worker Engagement, Participation and Representation Regulations(external link) are the maximum number of annual paid leave days for training that a PCBU is required to give. This is based on the number of workers it has.

 

H&S Rep Learning Pathway Online Modules

Partnering with HSE Global we are offering $200 per learner a sustainable eLearning pathway for H&S Reps across New Zealand. 

These 10 x 20-minute online modules are specially designed for a public sector environment, self-paced and cover the role of a H&S Rep, legal context, communication, risk management, reporting incidents and near misses, and more. They build on your mandatory HS Rep training and provide you with a deeper understanding of:

  • Stronger worker engagement and participation
  • Risk management practices
  • Better safety outcomes and culture; and
  • Increased awareness of health, safety and wellbeing (HSW) compliance and confidence

Watch the video below for more information and all participants receive access to these modules for 12 months to complete the programme and access to the HSE Global Library too.

 

H&S Rep Learning Modules

The GHSL has created two short eLearning modules for H&S Reps which are a good stepping stone to cover off the basic health and safety concepts  H&S Rep Learning Modules .

These learning modules segway nicely into the HS Rep Learning Pathway Modules which are an addition to your mandatory H&S Rep training. 

Health and Safty the basics and a picture of a keyboard

 

H&S Rep Knowledge Wheel - Assess your competency

The H&S Rep Knowledge Wheel(external link)  is a competency framework created by the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM) to guide and empower Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) in the workplace.

The wheel is structured around four core dimensions of knowledge and capability:

  1. Core Attributes: Central traits defining who you are and how you conduct yourself (e.g., empathy, open-mindedness, acting in good faith, respect for confidentiality).
  2. Critical Knowledge: Essential subjects you must understand and apply to routine workplace situations, such as risk management, hazard identification, law and regulation, injury management, and emergency preparedness
  3. Essential Skills: Practical capabilities that enable you to be an effective HSR, including relationship building, humble inquiry, active observation, listening, influencing, and storytelling.Awareness:
  4. Content you need to understand in context, such as recognizing work-as-done versus work-as-imagined and cultural sensitivity.

 

Looking to Get into a Health and Safety Career

Below are some helpful links and resources to show the range of development opportunities available for H&S Reps to enable them to develop their passion for the health and safety component of their role and understand how they use their H&S skills and knowledge to transition towards a health and safety career.


Health and Safety Generalist Career Pathway

The H&S Career Pathway provides a common and consistent career approach which is industry-wide to address the growing recruitment need and requirements for H&S generalists. The pathway clearly highlights what a health and safety generalist does, the core skills and competencies required for individuals to be successful for career progression and identifies ‘what good looks’ like across different roles.

Career Pathway - An Individual's Guide | Government Health and Safety Lead.


New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM)

NZISM has developed  Rep-Central  (external link)to help those on their H&S Rep journey learn and develop, including videos, resources and information. The H&S Rep Knowledge Wheel is an easy-to-read infographic noting essential skills, things to have an awareness of, critical knowledge and core attributes of an H&S Rep.

Check out the H&S Rep Knowledge Wheel here.(external link)


GHSL Public Sector Early in Careers Programme

Are you a new H&S Rep looking to extend your Health Safety Wellbeing (HSW) knowledge? 
Our specialised programme will build your core vocational H&S knowledge as its based upon the four cornerstones of the Health, Safety at Work Act 2015.

For more information on the Early in Careers Programme click here.