What is a union safety representative?

A safety rep is a fellow worker elected by other union members to look after the health and safety at work of people they work with. The work that they do benefits everyone in their section, both union and non-union workers. 

If your employer recognises a trade union, union members in your workplace have the right to elect safety representatives. The number of reps and the areas they cover are usually agreed with your employer. 

Safety reps will give you confidential help and advice. They know about health and safety procedures, how to take out a grievance if necessary, and how to help you resolve a problem at work. 

Safety reps have the right to: 

• take an active part in workplace risk assessments; 
• investigate potential hazards and 'dangerous occurrences', and examine the accident book; 
• investigate members' complaints; 
• carry out inspections of the workplace in work time, at least every three months; 
• require their employer to set up and attend a safety committee (where two or more safety reps request this); 
• be consulted on new working practices and new technology; 
• receive safety information from their employer (such as inspectors' reports, hygiene surveys and risk assessments); 
• attend union-approved training courses without loss of pay; and 
• have access to a phone and office equipment, and paid time off work, both to carry out inspections and to meet staff and other safety reps.