HSR Training

The health and safety representative course is designed for HSRs and deputy HSRs. It covers the skills and knowledge needed to help maintain a safer work environment and carry out the duties and responsibilities of an HSR.

A health and safety representative (HSR) is elected by workgroup members to represent their interests in health and safety matters. They bring up safety concerns to supervisors and may coordinate with a health and safety committee. However, to enjoy the full rights of the HSR role, you must complete HSR training.

Who Should Attend HSR Training?

Elected health and safety representatives (HSRs) and deputy HSRs should attend HSR training. Attending the training course is a requirement for receiving the full powers of the HSR position.

An HSR does not have the right to issue provisional improvement notice or order a work stoppage until they complete approved training.

What Are the Prerequisites for HSR Training?

To enrol in HSR training, you must be an elected HSR or deputy HSR.

How Long Does the HSR Course Last and What Does it Cover?

The initial courses for HSR training last five days, which is a requirement of Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. Approved courses must offer five consecutive days of training for the initial training.

The HSR refresher course takes one day or less. The Comcare HSR training webinar is a one-day refresher course. The HSR refresher course takes 1 day to complete.

The content is designed to meet the requirements outlined in the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act. The laws require a newly elected health and safety representative (HSR) to complete five consecutive days of training.

What Are the Course Outcomes for HSR Training?

The learning outcomes for HSR Training include knowing how to perform a risk assessment, including assessing the risk management process undertaken. If an HSR does not believe that the undertaken steps are adequate, they may issue a PIN or direct work to stop after notifying a supervisor.

The skills and knowledge obtained through HSR training courses help maintain a safer work environment. The key learning objectives include:

• Understanding the workplace health and safety legislative framework
• Identifying key parties and their obligations and duties (such as PCBUs and supervisors)
• Establishing safety representation in the workplace
• Learning how to participate in health and safety consultations

HSRs learn how to represent a designated workgroup in any WHS risk management process undertaken by the duty holder. They also have the right to issue a provisional improvement notice (PIN) and direct work to stop after completing the course.

How Do You Attend HSR Training?

You can enrol in online HSR training or face-to-face training. However, the live webinar courses are only available for those enrolling in the Comcare HSR training or the refresher training.

HSR training is completed face-to-face, AlertForce is approved by Comcare and SafeWork NSW to deliver via Live classroom (webinar).

Any worker who was recently elected to the position of HSR is entitled to attend HSR training. The employer must provide time off work and cover the cost of the course. However, deputy HSR’s are not entitled to the same training. If you or a deputy HSR is re-elected in the same work group and have already participated in initial HSR training, then you do not have an entitlement to take time off work with pay to attend the five-day training course again. However, you are entitled to one day’s refresher training each year following the completion of initial training. Although you are not entitled to receive further initial training, the PCBU may agree for you to attend or receive further training as relevant to your role (e.g. attending a conference on work health and safety).

The Comcare approved course is designed for elected Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and Deputy HSRs in Comcare Licensee companies and Commonwealth Departments who need regulator-approved training. This course is designed to help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively promote and ensure the health and safety of your work group.

Under section 72 of the Comcare WHS Act 2011, an employer, if requested, must allow an elected HSR to attend a HSR training course that is approved by the regulator (Comcare) and chosen by the HSR in consultation with their employer.

How Much Does HSR Training Cost?

The cost of HSR training varies depending on the type of training. For example, Comcare HSR training costs $897. The refresher course costs $327.

Employers must cover the costs of training for HSRs. They are entitled to the same pay, including pay related to shift work or regulator over time. The employer must also cover travel and accommodations. However, deputy HSRs do not receive the same entitlements. In the Commonwealth jurisdiction, an employer must cover the costs of HSR training regardless of whether the HSR is a deputy or not.

Why Choose AlertForce for HSR Training?

AlertForce is one of the largest registered training organisations (RTO) in Australia, serving workers and businesses throughout the entire country. We offer face-to-face training and webinar HSR courses in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, and Adelaide.

AlertForce is approved by Comcare, SafeWork NSW, WHSQ Queensland and WorkSafe ACT to deliver HSR training.

Contact us to arrange HSR training today.