Occupational health and safety representative

The occupational health and safety delegate represents employees

The occupational health and safety delegate is elected by the employees. Employees have the right to elect an occupational safety delegate to represent them. The employer must provide information about the employees’ right to elect an occupational safety delegate.

The duties of an occupational health and safety representative include

• familiarizing oneself with the work environment, issues affecting occupational safety and health at the workplace, and occupational safety regulations.
• making suggestions for improving safety and encouraging others to pay attention to occupational safety
• providing information on occupational health and safety issues that can be discussed with the employer
• acting as a member of the occupational health and safety committee, if the workplace has one.

However, the representative does not have legal responsibility for occupational safety.