Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 3:HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTFOR WORKER HS&E REPRESENTATIVESBackground on workplace checksAn important part of a worker HS&E representative’s job is to carry outregular HS&E checks of the workplace. It enables the worker HS&Erepresentative to systematically monitor the health, safety andenvironment of workers. The HS&E check will allow the worker HS&Erepresentative to look at the workplace, work organisation, people, andinformation. The worker HS&E representative then reports to the employer,outlining any deficiencies in the employer’s systems for health, safety andthe environment. Remember that it is the employer’s job to manage healthand safety. HS&E checks are one of the ways that we can monitor whetherthey are managing properly. If they are not, then we can bring it to theirattention in writing, and make sure that they then remedy the problems.How frequently should we check the workplace?Depending on the type of workplace, and hazards, the worker HS&Erepresentative should check the workplace on a regular basis. For example,every month, if there are a lot of hazards, and perhaps every three monthsfor a lower risk workplace. If there are frequent changes to the workplace,then you may need to check daily, or weekly.In the absence of legal rights, we should seek an agreement with theemployer to carry out HS&E checks during working hours (See below formore information on Collective Bargaining Agreements).Why do workplace checks? – Prevention is better than cure!Here are some reasons for doing workplace checks. Add any others that youthink are relevant, or which came out of your group work.Finding hazardsA systematic check on an aspect of work or part of the workplace mayreveal problems which the employer needs to remedy. For example: hidden health hazards problems with the way a particular job has to be done ergonomic problems aspects of a job that only the worker who is doing it will be aware ofTalking to members, management, and other union representativesWorkplace HS&E checks give you a chance to talk in private to membersabout health and safety aspects of their work, and for members and otherworkers to see the union in action. It is most important that we involve ourmembers at all stages of the workplace check: finding out their problems and complaints before we do a HS&E check talking to them during the HS&E check reporting back to them after the HS&E check89 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers