DETE HSW Committee:
is the corporate committee for the strategic management of health, safety and wellbeing issues and strategies for the department. For complete information please refer to Health, Safety and Wellbeing communication and consultation.
Officers in Charge of a Workplace:
- a person who has the authority for the management of a departmental workplace e.g. school principals, TAFE institute directors and managers
- has responsibility for, and decision making authority at a workplace for a range of issues e.g. supervision of staff, budget expenditure, facilities management
- is an executive leader such as Senior Executive Services Officers, Senior Officers, Regional Directors and Assistant Regional Directors.
Health and Safety Committees:
a health and safety committee is the forum in which to discuss and raise health, safety and wellbeing issues. This may be a dedicated committee or it may be a standing agenda item within a broader meeting format. All workplaces need to establish a forum to discuss health, safety and wellbeing issues as required by Health, Safety and Wellbeing communication and consultation.
Health and Safety Representative (HSR):
- is a staff member elected by colleagues. It is not an appointed position
- does not have to be affiliated with a union
- is strongly encouraged to attend approved HSR training to improve skills and knowledge, however this is not a mandatory component of the position unless issuing a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) or Cease Work Instruction.
Workplace Health and Safety Training:
DETE is currently awaiting advice from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland regarding the approved training course for the Health and Safety Representative (HSR). The course will be 5 days in duration.
It is not mandatory for a HSR to attend training to fulfil the role of a HSR. It is recommended however to increase skills and knowledge. If a HSR requests training their manager must support their attendance at training.
It is important to note that it is a legislative requirement for a HSR to attend training to become qualified to issue a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) or to direct workers to Cease Work. Only elected and qualified HSRs are entitled to issue PINs.
A HSR will be able to exercise all their powers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) (including issuing of PINS and the power to direct workers to cease work) for 12 months from the commencement of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld).
After this time, if the HSR has not undertaken the requisite training, they will not be able to continue to direct workers to cease work. All currently qualified HSRs who have completed PINS training will not be required to undertake training on this matter.