HSR support program 2009-2012

Supporting HSRs in Child Protection, Youth Justice and Housing across DHS

HSRs have an active role in making Victorian workplaces safer and employers should support and encourage them to effectively perform their role.

HSRs facilitate consultation in the workplace and provide a channel for employees to express their views and concerns on occupational health and safety (OHS) with their employer.

Part 7 of the OHS Act details the HSRs role in raising and resolving OHS issues with their employer. HSRs have powers to progress OHS issues further where necessary, such as consulting and issuing Provisional Improvement Notice (PINs).

The HSR Support Program

WorkSafe's HSR Support Program funds serveral unions across various industry secotrs to engage an HSR Support Officer.

Each HSR Support Officer works in an industry sector identified by WorkSafe as having a high incidence, severity, or risk of workplace health and safety claims and/or issues.

Each HSR Support Officer promotes and supports employee representation. HSRs have the right to invite an HSR Support Officer into the workplace to facilitate employee representation and other HSR roles and responsibilities.

HSR Support Officers do not perform the activities of an HSR. They are not roving union representatives and are not employed by WorkSafe.

The HSR Support Officer for Child Protection, Youth Justice and Housing across DHS is Sergio Pirisi.

Any one can contact Sergio for help establishing a Designated Work Group (DWG) or electing an HSR. If you are an HSR, you can contact Sergio if you are seeking support to:

• understand your rights under the OHS Act
• choose and attend an approved introductory HSR training course or annual refresher training course
• join a network of HSRs in your industry
• increase your knowledge about workplace health and safety
• represent members of your DWG better
• find health and safety solutions for your workplace
• improve your Health and Safety Committee e.g. by inviting an HSR Support Officer to facilitate your participation.

WorkSafe Victoria encourages managers and supervisors in the child protection, youth justice and housing sectors across DHS to support and cooperate with Sergio in his role as an HSR Support Officer.

Further Information
If you would like more information about the HSR Support Program, please visit our website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au or call the WorkSafe Advisory Service on 1800 136 089

Sergio Pirisi
Community and Public Sector Union
HSR Support Officer
03 9639 1822
spirisi@cpsuvic.org
www.cpsuvic.org