OHS REPS @ WORK

A draft Charter that defines the role, rights and activities of union health and safety representatives has been developed by the Victorian Trades Hall Council OHS unit and affiliated unions.

VTHC OHS unit spokesperson Renata Musolino said the Charter would demand that employers and WorkSafe Victoria recognise the legitimate role of OHS representatives.

"The main purpose of the Charter will be the validation of union health and safety reps. It will recognise the vital role that thousands of men and women across Victoria play in ensuring that hundreds of thousands of workers enjoy the right to a safe work environment. It will also insist that employers and WorkSafe treat reps with the respect and dignity they deserve."

An estimated 1400 health and safety representatives endorsed the Charter proposal at last week's annual VTHC OHS reps conference in Melbourne.

UK Health and Safety authority Rory O'Neill said the 2003 VTHC Conference was "the biggest safety reps event on earth."

Health and safety representatives are encouraged to comment on the Draft Charter, which is now available online.

Please provide comments via the online forum by 30 November 2003. The Charter will be launched early in 2004.

The VTHC will also use the feedback generated by this forum to inform their submission to the Bracks Government's review of the OHS Act.