WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB

SECTION 5.4
4. What facilities and time off is a Safety Representative entitled to?
The Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977 state that Safety Representatives
should be given‘facilities and assistance’to carry out inspections in the workplace and inspect the
premises following an accident.
This includes:
• Employers must provide Safety Reps with relevant health and safety information[Reg 7(1)];
• Allowing Safety Reps private discussion with members[Reg 5(3)and 6(2)].
• Allowing Safety Reps to publicise actions to be taken following inspections
(Guidance Note: para 21).
• Allowing Safety Reps to bring in‘technical advisors’(Guidance Note 26).
• Time off with pay for the investigation of potential hazards and members’complaints(Reg 4(2);
• The right to carry out an inspection of the workplace(Reg 5):
1. every three months;
2. after a notifiable accident or dangerous occurrence;
3. after substantial changes to the workplace or work process;
4. after new information is received from the Health and Safety Executive,a supplier or
manufacturer.
• The right to consult with members,HSE/Enforcing Authority Inspectors and the employer(Reg 4);
• The right to attend designated training courses(Approved Code of Practice to Reg 4(2));
• The right to attend Safety Committee meetings(ACoP to Reg 4(2));
• The right to be consulted‘in good time’on relevant health and safety matters;
• Details of GMB Safety Reps’recommended facilities are given on page nine of GMB’s Safety Reps’
Handbook.
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974(section 2(7))place a duty on employers to set up a Safety
Committee within three months of being requested to do so by two trade union appointed Safety
Representatives.Section nine of the SRSC Regulations also gives this power to Safety Reps.
REMEMBER: there may be more than one person affected by this issue.
Consider calling a meeting to advise,recruit and organise.