The Victorian Government last year commissioned, and then paused, an independent review into Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and Authorised Representatives of Registered Employee Organisations (ARREOs) to consider whether the powers, functions and supports for HSRs and ARREOs are effective and deliver improved health and safety outcomes for all workers. The Review is now back on track and is calling for submissions.
The Review will be undertaken by an Independent Reviewer appointed by the Premier, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC and Minister for Industrial Relations. The Review will consider:
- The effectiveness of current ARREO and HSR frameworks in supporting employees to advocate for measures to ensure a healthy and safe workplace.
- ARREO powers, functions and support in comparison with those provided for equivalent roles under the Model Workplace Health and Safety laws.
- Opportunities to improve the effectiveness of existing ARREO and HSR powers, including but not limited to:
- notice of entry requirements
- powers to hold discussions with employees
- inspection of documents.
- The effectiveness of penalties in promoting compliance with the OHS Act.
- Eligibility criteria for ARREOs, including whether there is a need to expand the range of people who can become an ARREO.
- Potential additional measures to improve knowledge and awareness of the role and functions of ARREOs and HSRs across workplaces.
- The adequacy and effectiveness of ARREO and HSR training.
- Appropriate oversight, checks and balances to ensure ARREO and HSR powers and functions are exercised proportionately.
The Independent Reviewer will oversee the delivery of the Review, including the release of an interim report, final report and undertake extensive stakeholder consultation throughout the Review. They will provide a final written report, including recommendations, to the Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, which will be made available publicly when the Government’s response is released.
VTHC looks forward to the opportunity to propose reforms that will strengthen employee representational rights and powers, using as a base for our submission the feedback from thousands of HSRs as well as affiliated unions. If you have not yet had the opportunity to complete the survey, there is still a limited amount of time - HSR SURVEY
Keep an eye on future SafetyNet journals for information about where you can make an individual submission if you have ideas about how to improve employee health and safety representation.
Read more: Independent Review of Employee Representatives - Terms of Reference | vic.gov.au