Posted By Donn
Please please tell me if there is a difference between these two titles??? it is causing us great problems.

I have been trained as a representative, and recieved company policy training (all internal) howver i am being asked questions regarding specialist fields ie. asbestos etc. i do not have a Nebosh certificate although i have asked to attend one with yet no joy. i feel i am not qualified to answer the questions engineers are asking me (building services field) although i was a control systems engineer before having a family.

Surely there is a big difference between these two roles????


thanks
Donna

Posted By Martin
Hi Donna

I am assuming that you are a Union H&S representative, with this in mind I would point you in the direction of the little brown book titled Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (ISBN 07176 12201 £5.75).
That you have been appointed in accordance to Regulation 3, of the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977.
Regulation 4 Functions of a Safety Rep the word representative is used (union members and where agreed none-union members). Regulation 4, makes the Statement A Safety representative, by accepting, or agreeing with, or not objecting to a course of action does not take any legal responsibility for that course of action.

Regulation 4 is extremely important as it protects an appointed Union H&S Rep, this Legal protection is not afforded to a H&S Advisor.
A H&S Advisor is just an advisor they may be competent (qualified and experienced) or they may not, but the major difference is that they have no LEGAL PROTECTION.

If you are a Union H&S Rep the TUC offers excellent training free, also your company has a LEGAL obligation to facilitate this training at no cost to you (i.e. they have to pay you whilst you are attending this training).

Hope this is of some us to you

Martin