In October last year, the Department of Planning Industry and Environment (DPIE) ran a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) election process which resulted in six of 38 work areas across National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) nominating a HSR. The 2019-2020 bushfires may have limited the capacity of staff to consider the HSR election.
On that basis the PSA requested that another memorandum be circulated reminding members that they could still nominate for a role as a HSR. The PSA strongly urges members to nominate for these roles. This will provide an independent perspective on any WHS issues that may arise in the workplace.
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 provides for staff to elect or nominate HSRs, who have specific functions defined under the Act. Once trained, HSRs have additional powers that can be used to resolve WHS issues, including being able to make requests to see documentation around safety and issue provisional improvement notices (PINs) where worker safety is compromised.
The HSR election is a self-nomination process. HSRs are provided with training and support so they can fulfil the obligations of the role.
With the exception of 4PSQ, work areas include all of the staff that work within the geographical boundary of the work area. This includes Park Programs, Branch and Area staff working within the work area.
To self-nominate in one of these areas, please send an email to the Park Support Mailbox () clearly indicating your work group. Nominations should be submitted prior to Friday 23 October.
Successful HSRs will be notified on Friday 4 December 2020.
Should you have any further enquires about the role of HSR the PSA suggests that you either discuss with your immediate supervisor, a PSA workplace delegate or PSA industrial staff.