Posted By Phil Grace Tomahawk, For what's worth I wouldn't start with their legal responsibilities. What about the role of the supervisor in: - Setting an example by folloing safety rules, wearing correct PPE etc - Finding and fixing hazards - Ensuring that employees' training needs are identified and that training is given - Ensuring risk assessments are carried out and that the safe working methods that flow from them are used/adhered to - investigating accidents - ensuring that housekeeping is carried out I could go on but I'm sure you get the idea. As for the legislation - sure the supervisor has legal duties but prosecutions are rare. Don't frighten, encourage Phil

Posted By Andy Brazier Phil and Ray have summed things up very nicely. I believe It is very difficult to say what a supervisor's responsibility is. As far as I know there is no single definition of the role, and many other job titles act as supervisors. Instead, I view supervision as a highly critical management function, which may be delivered by one or more people, within and external to a team. As such it covers: * Ensuring people know and stick to safety rules; * Ensuring people are competent to do their job and know their limitation; * Ensuring teams have an appropriate competence mix (including when normal members are absent); * Providing leadership in emergencies; * Ensuring incidents are reported and investigated; * Facilitating communication within and outside the team, including between team members and management. Some supervisors may not have all these covered in their job descriptions. If that is the case, the question is who does.

Posted By Darren (Daz) Fraser You could turn it around and ask the supervisors the following question right at the beginning (or even before the session) "What do you see as your H&S reponsibilities as a Supervisor and why?" Create a list, discuss and agree together their responsibilities. Once agreed you could then ask them how are they going to manage H&S within their area of influence, and what do they feel they can do to improve it over the next 3, 6 and 12 months. This approach is not for those that like order, as you have little control over where things go, but it does get the attendees thinking from the beginning. Just an idea, but one that I have used in the past to good effect - no computer, projector, powerpoint etc just some pens and paper.