Undertaking the HSR role can involve navigating issues sometimes with limited support. For HSRs in the healthcare sector, WorkSafe runs quarterly meetings to allow HSRs from across Victoria to come together to share their experiences, interact with and ask questions of WorkSafe (including Health and Safety Representative Support Officers (HSRSOs) and WorkSafe Inspectors). The Network is also an opportunity to collaborate and connect with other healthcare HSRs across the State.
Participants in the March 2026 meeting discussed how they identify physical and psychosocial hazards in their workplaces and how they encourage their colleagues to contribute to safety discussions. Some of the ideas shared included:
- “Participating in workplace inspections”
- “Annual team surveys, as they are anonymous, we get great feedback”
- “Encouraging incident reporting for any psych hazards”
- “Customised shift notes for our support workers”
- “HSR meetings, individual team meetings”
- “Psychological survey each year”
- “Incident data”
- “Risk reporting system (almost no one reports psychological risk)”
- “Educate colleagues on what a psychosocial hazard is”
- “Create a comfortable environment for colleagues to come talk to HSRs”
The HSR Healthcare Network was developed to address gaps in support for healthcare HSRs and is aligned with WorkSafe’s Corporate Strategy.
Employers are encouraged to allow HSRs time to attend these meetings and in doing so demonstrate a commitment to the wellbeing of staff and a positive workplace culture. Workplaces benefit from having HSRs who are informed and actively participating in decision-making discussions related to workplace safety in the healthcare sector.
If you are an HSR (or know of any HSRs) working in healthcare, you can sign up to the HSR healthcare newsletter for more information and to register for the Network.
Next Network meeting: June 10, 2026 - 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Topic: Q&A with Health Integrated Industry Pilot Inspectors plus more