Occupational safety and health representative

The occupational safety and health representative monitors matters related to employee safety at work and assists employees if they have questions about occupational health and safety.

The occupational safety and health representative is an advocate for cooperation in occupational safety and health. Their duties include, among other things

• to become familiar with issues affecting the safety and health of employees in the work environment by observing them regularly.
• familiarize yourself with occupational safety regulations.
• develop occupational safety issues together with the employer.
• communicates employee-level information on occupational safety and health matters for discussion with the employer in cooperation.
• act in such a way that practices promoting safety and health at work are increased in the workplace.
• encourage the employees they represent to pay attention to occupational safety and health and to make suggestions for improving safety.
• always act confidentially.
• act as a support person in negotiations concerning work ability, work ergonomics, or work atmosphere issues, as well as in other discussions.

The duties of the occupational safety and health representative are defined in the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The collective agreement may also contain more detailed duties.

A competent occupational safety representative is in everyone's interest and they have the right to receive training for the position. More information about the training path for occupational safety representative can be found here.

Employee representatives and their deputies (union representatives/occupational safety and health representatives/deputies) have the opportunity to stay in a double room during courses organised in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area at the expense of the union branch.
If the employee representative wishes to stay in a single room, he/she will pay/compensate for the difference in the price of a single room. The support applies to basic and advanced courses for union representatives and occupational safety and health representatives.
The matter is agreed in advance with the chairperson of the trade union and the treasurer.

Would you like to become a occupational safety and health representative?

Would you like to have an impact on your workplace? Are you aware of the conditions at your workplace and  would you like to improve them? Would you like to help your colleagues?