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Posted By Kelvin Hughes
Can anyone give me some data on what would be an adequate time off work required for safety reps training? Taking into account what is required of the safety rep and amount of responsibility expected once training is completed. Is a one-day awareness course enough? Or should they be sent on a day release course, which could take months to complete?
Your thoughts would be appreciated
Kelvin
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Posted By Maggie Atterbury
An untrained Safety Rep is more of a liability than an asset in any company. A one day awareness course is certainly not enough and I would recommend that new Reps are given day release to attend the TUC 10 day Stage 1 Safety Reps course. After aquiring some experience in a year or two, the Stage 2 course would be appropriate. I would also include tham in any in-house safety training so that they are aware of the company safety systems etc. This is what we do in our Local Authority. The Safety Committees and Safety Representatives Regs 1977 give Safety Reps the right to time off with pay to attend appropriate training. They also point out that Safety Reps do not have "responsibilities" i.e. do not become part of the company safety management system, but are there to represent the interests of their members in discussions with managers.
I hope this helps.
Maggie Atterbury
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Posted By JamesK
Kelvin,
In Ireland there is a 5 day course that safety reps go to. Along with his course they would also be part of the area/department safety team and would be up to date on all changes within their company. They would have constant communicatoin with their safety department/officer and would accompany them on walkabouts/inspections/audits etc.
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Posted By David Carter
Kelvin, in 2001 I attended a 5 day safety representatives training course at the MSF (now AMICUS)College. This opened my eyes to how ignorant I had previously been. The knowledge gained on the course enabelled me to make a much greater, effective contribution to health and safety in the workplace. 12 months later I returned to the college to study part 2. This was again a five day course. The classroom tuition and the workplace implementation / utilisation of the skills learnt have, in my opinion, had a truly beneficial effect for all concerned. For myself, the workforce and for the business.
The comment from Maggie is spot on. Having sat on the untrained side of the fence myself I speak from experience. No matter how keen, or well intentioned the untrained safety representative might be, this situation is best avoided. The Code of Practice approved under regulation 4(2) of the SR&SC's recognises the need for safety representatives to be allowed time off with pay in order to attend basic training as soon as possible after being appointed. Although the CoP does not stipulate the lenght of training, it is recognised that the training should take into account the functions of the safety representative. It would not be reasonable to expect a person to be able to grasp the basics of all the functions of a safety representative (including the purpose and use of relevant legislation) in an afternoon, day or even a few days. Hope this helps.
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Posted By Shane Johnston
The length of time given to train your TU Reps will be proportional to the environment they work in. If you simply want to give your TU Reps the absolute minimum, I suggest that your company may simply be paying lip service to the function TU Reps can perform. Does your company approach all training in this manner? Does the management appointed safety adviser receive just minimal training?
And before you ask, no I'm not a member of a union, and life for me would be much simpler without the Reps, however I do recognise that competent Reps can be very useful, whereas an untrained Rep can simply be a pain in the a##e, raising silly questions and using up my time.
Shane.
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Posted By Peter Lee
As a former H&S TU Rep my employer at the time allowed me time off for TUC Stage 1, 2, 3 and TUC Certificate in OSH (one day a week for around 9 months), NEBOSH Cert and NEBOSH Dip 1, guess they saw the benefit of having well trained reps.
The moral of the story, invest in them and they will invest in you.
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Posted By Richard Mathews
I agree with Peter it is well worth investing the time and money in training safety reps. My employer at the time allowed reps to attend all TUC courses with full pay plus they paid for NEBOSH for two of us and IEM cert for myself. The level of support the management of company then received in return was benificial to both company and TU.
We really are enlighted lot in South Yorkshire, aren't we Peter?
Richard
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Posted By Peter Lee
Hey up Richard ows tha know am frum south yorkshire then ?
PS don't train em up too well cos they leave when they get NEBOSH , ahem (cough cough) !
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Posted By Jim Mc Nally
Kevin
Our company have developed a two day safety reps course which we run in-house. We also arrange for supervisors or managers to attend the same course at the same time to ensure that each side knows the roles and responsibilities of the other and as such we avoid the "them and us" mentality which may creep in. Our company has unionised and non unionised sites and we run the two day course in all sites. The feedback from all attendees has been very positive and if they feel that they require any further training in any other aspect of their duties, then they are supported in this. This has worked fairly successfully for us.
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Posted By Alison Melrose
I'm a safety rep for my company (one of them at least) and I got a half day "course" on what is expected of me.
Granted I have the Nebosh Certificate (self funded) but thought I might get some additional training. Have been told there is no funds so no chance! Not a member of any union (company doesn't have any) so can't go there...if your company is willing to pay for your training - take it as a lot of companies won't!!
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Posted By Kieran Dowling
Alison,
Here's the answer: join a union, get yourself accredited as a safety rep, apply for a TUC course. If employer turns you down, go to an Employment Tribunal for failure to allow time off and/or payment for training.
Your organisation should know the law as it is currently advising my employer how to comply fully with legislation.
I'm sure they wouldn't want to be seen to be employing double standards. Wouldn't look good!
Kieran
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Posted By David Carter
Kieran
If Alison takes your advice I think that she would be in a strong position to win the case. Joining a union however is not to everyones liking - each to their own. If the company turn around and offer in-house training then they could legitimately refuse to allow for paid time off (the case of White v Pressed Steel Fisher 1980)and Alisons reasons for joining the union would then be negated.
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Posted By Kelvin Hughes
Thanks for all of the replies and interest shown in this topic.
We have no intention to refuse the training to our safety reps, however the content and length of the training is what is in question, and how these persons can benefit the company in the long term. One days training is not enough and the full NEBOSH Cert is not required at this present time, but will be considered in the future.
Many thanks
Kelvin Hughes
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