HOW TO BECOME A SAFETY REP

25 RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2023 :: RMTnews RMT safety reps enjoy responsibility, interest, reward, satisfaction and transferable skills that could assist in their future career. If you are thinking about becoming a safety rep it is important to know that: • Safety reps are appointed by the union and are accountable only to RMT members and are distinct from ‘safety officers’ appointed by employers to help them carry out their health and safety responsibilities • You do not need to be a health and safety expert to be a good safety rep - you just need common sense, a knowledge of the workplace and participate in discussions about health and safety • Trade union appointed safety representatives do not have any legal duties beyond those which apply to all employees. For example, safety reps will not be legally responsible if they carry out an inspection and fail to notice a particular hazard. • Employers must consult with safety reps on the introduction of any measures at the workplace which will affect the employees the rep represents • If you decide to become a safety rep, you will not alone as RMT currently has nearly 2,000 safety reps THE ROLE OF THE SAFETY REP The function of the safety rep is to raise any matters of health, safety or welfare at work, which concern those they represent. Safety reps are entitled to carry out workplace inspections and of documents that relate to the health, safety and welfare of those they represent, such as risk assessments, accident statistics, safety manuals, hazard data sheets or technical literature relating to the workplace. TRAINING AND PAID TIME OFF RMT provides new safety reps with help and support in carrying out their role and training for new safety reps. Safety reps are entitled to time away from normal duties without loss of pay to attend any agreed training course or undertake any of the functions of a safety rep including preparation for any meetings, writing of reports or letters or the gathering of material relating to a particular hazard found at the workplace. RMT provides specially tailored training for safety reps and the well-attended annual RMT health and safety advisory conference is an opportunity for safety reps to undertake training and hear specialists speak on a variety of safety issues. Safety reps have more legislation on their side than any other rep and their importance was particularly shown during the Covid pandemic. Safety legislation gives safety reps the legal right to represent members’ interests on health and safety issues - and gives reps a range of rights and powers to assist in achieving this.  RMT aims to have a safety rep in each grade in every workplace so that members can discuss heath and safety matters. WHAT TO DO NOW If you want to become a safety rep then you need to contact your branch secretary/attend your branch meeting. Safety reps are elected at RMT branch meetings, therefore please contact your branch secretary to find out if there are any safety rep vacancies in your branch area. Don’t give up if there are not any vacancies; contact healthandsafety@rmt.org.uk as it may be possible - both with the agreement of your branch and your employer - to make arrangements for you to shadow an existing rep until a vacancy arises. If you want any more information on becoming a safety rep contact RMT’s health and safety section on healthandsafety@rmt.org.uk. HOW TO BECOME A SAFETY REP Interested in safety at work? - then become a RMT safety rep