In businesses with five or more employees, it is mandatory to have a safety representative. But what does the role actually entail, and what tasks does the safety representative have? Here are answers to some of the most central questions about the function of the safety representative.
The role of the safety representative in restructuring processes
When businesses undergo changes that affect their employees' working environment, employees should have the opportunity to participate. The safety representative has an important role in ensuring that this participation takes place in a structured manner.
In larger companies, a working environment committee (AMU) will often help to risk assess restructuring processes and ensure that the measures are appropriate for all employees. In companies without an AMU, the safety representative can take care of these tasks themselves, and act as an advisor to both management and employees during the process.
The role of the safety representative in personnel matters
The safety representative does not represent individuals in personnel matters. The task is to safeguard the working environment for all employees. This includes:
- Organization and facilitation
- Labor relations and management
- Prevention of harassment and conflicts
The safety representative shall be a neutral party who ensures that guidelines and procedures are followed, and contributes to ensuring that matters do not negatively affect the working environment. Confidentiality applies to all information that the safety representative becomes aware of in the course of his/her duties.
If a case involves close colleagues, it may be appropriate to involve the chief safety representative (HVO) if the organization has such a role, to maintain objectivity.
Rights during supervision
The safety representative shall participate in any supervision and inspections at the workplace. In larger enterprises, the main safety representative may accompany the supervisory authority through the inspection, while local safety representatives are involved for their area.
The safety representative has the right to:
- Participate under supervision
- Require that other employee representatives also participate
- Get a copy of any orders or decisions that affect the working environment
Access to information
To effectively safeguard the working environment, the safety representative must have access to relevant information, such as:
- Reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses
- Results from work environment surveys
- Reporting from expert investigations
- Information about measures taken to prevent injuries and illnesses
In businesses without an AMU, the safety representative must contribute to identifying the causes of accidents and occupational diseases, and ensure that necessary measures are implemented to prevent recurrence.
Summary
The safety representative has a key role in ensuring a safe and responsible working environment. The role involves participation in restructuring, monitoring the working environment, the right to information and participation in inspections. By following these guidelines, both employees and management can contribute to a safer and more inclusive working environment.
