OHS REPS @ WORK

The Victorian OHS Act gives elected OHS reps the right to attend WorkCover approved training courses.  They have the right to attend on paid leave and their employer must pay the cost of the course and any reasonably associated costs. 

The Centre, established in 1983, has provided training to over 38,500 health and safety representatives.

Our course program is delivered in a number of metropolitan areas and throughout regional Victoria.

Training Courses
The Centre provides a comprehensive training service for employee health and safety representatives, managers, supervisors and employees.

• "Initial" (previously "Basic")  training for elected health and safety representatives and deputies, under State and Commonwealth OHS legislation. These are 5 day courses.
• OHS Refresher Training - for elected reps and deputies who have completed their initial training course. See more information, below.  
• Training for managers, supervisors, OHS coordinators and safety officers.  The Unit is also running special 2-day courses for principals and vice-principals.

Initial training

All elected OHS reps and deputy OHS reps are entitled to attend the 5-day initial training course, and it is recommended that reps attend such a course as soon as possible after they are elected.  The initial training provides reps with knowledge of the Act, what their role is and gives them skills in representing the members of their Designated Work Group.

Refresher training for OHS Representatives and deputies

The VTHC is offering the following WorkSafe approved 1 day refresher courses for all OHS and Deputy Reps*:

• Legislative update.  This course will concentrate on the differences between the 1985 and 2004 OHS Acts, as well as any changes in the consolidated Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007.  It will focus on the changes that are important to OHS Reps.
• Hazard Identification and Assessment in the Workplace.

As well as providing important information about changes to the OHS Act these courses will provide OHS Reps with essential tools and resources to help with the identification and assessment of common workplace hazards:

• Hazardous Substances
• Manual Handling
• Psychological Hazards
• Workplace hazard mapping
• Body mapping to identify workplace hazards

*Section 67 of the OH&S Act 2004 entitles all OHS and Deputy Reps who have completed a 5 day initial training course to attend a one day refresher training course each year. 

Reps must give the employer 14 days notice of their intention to attend the course.  The employer is required to pay all costs, including the Reps pay for the day and any other associated costs of attending (within reason).

You can complete register for a course by completing an enrolment form and either faxing it or sending it to the unit. 

Training Program
Details of our training program - where, when and what courses are scheduled, go to the Training Program page on this site.
On-site training
Many prefer to have courses delivered in their workplace. This can be a less expensive and more convenient option for you as well as allowing issues of interest to your organisation to be covered comprehensively. On-site training can include:

• Representative (and deputy) training - both under the Victorian and the Comcare Acts
• Refresher training
• 2-day course for for Managers, Supervisors, OHS coordinators and Committee members
• Other training by negotiation.

More Information
If you would like more information about our courses or would like to discuss organising on-site training for your organisation, contact us by telephone (03) 9662 3511 or (03)9663 5460 or email on ohstrain@vthc.org.au