Support for health and safety reps

Health and safety representatives play a vital role in keeping our members healthy and safe at work and campaign for better working conditions. They:

• investigate potential hazards;
• consult members on working conditions;
• lobby their employer to improve safety;
• support members with complaints about safety;
• recruit new members;
• identify members who could become more involved in health and safety issues.

Health and safety representatives have a specific role and responsibilities with important legal rights. They have the right to training, and to raise issues that affect the health and safety of members.

UNISON aims to have at least one health and safety representative in every workplace where we have members.  

What you can do in your role

As a health and safety rep, you will provide information and support for members, keep them up to date with union issues and campaigns and encourage them to be involved in local negotiations.

You can act as an adviser and sounding board for members about workplace health and safety issues and can advise, share information or connect them with support elsewhere in the union. Reps also act as a link between members, other union representatives and the national organisation.  

Our Get Help section of the UNISON website includes information, advice and resources on the key health and safety topics. Browse over 30 articles on topics such as risk assessment, back pain, smoking, stress, extreme heat, menopause and more.