Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 3:HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTFOR WORKER HS&E REPRESENTATIVESWorker HS&ErepresentativeObtainingmembers’viewsThe term ‘worker HS&E representative’ can refer to different types ofrepresentative: worker representatives who undertake HS&E work as part of generalunion duties at the workplace. They have no rights under nationalhealth and safety laws, though they may perform their HS&E work aspart of a collective bargaining agreement. Such representatives will beunion members and elected by other union members in that workplace worker health and safety representatives (safety representatives forshort) who have legal powers under national health and safety laws tocarry out specified HS&E duties at the workplace. Such legallyempowered representatives will normally be elected by their fellowworkers as laid down in the health and safety laws. These workerrepresentatives will not automatically be union members though in factthey generally are, as unions are the only credible and organised bodyrepresenting workers in the workplace worker representatives on joint worker/union-management workplacehealth and safety committees (safety committees for short). Suchcommittees may be legally constituted under national health and safetylaws, or performing their work under a collective bargaining agreement.Such worker representatives will normally be elected by their fellowworkers as laid down in the health and safety laws or collectivebargaining agreement. These worker representatives will notautomatically be union members though in fact they generally are, asunions are the only credible and organised body representing workers inthe workplace.The term ‘worker HS&E representative’ is used in this Manual to cover allthe categories listed above. The IUF believes that any workerrepresentative should be a trade union representative selected or electedby fellow union members in their workplace.As a worker HS&E representative, it is essential that you effectivelyrepresent the views of your members. Without their support you canbecome isolated and unable to improve working conditions. If you wanttheir support, members have to be informed and involved by their workerHS&E representatives. We can do this by: listening to what they have to say about hazards and ill health convincing them of the dangers where the risks may not be obvious developing their awareness of the benefits of trade union action onHS&E identifying the employer’s obligations to maintain a safe and healthyworkplace working collectively with them to improve conditions at workSo that the course is relevant and practical for you and your members, wewill need to obtain members’ views before the course begins.56 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers