Health and Safety Rep Info and Training

In line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (1993), Rhodes University provides facilities, assistance and training for designated Health and Safety Representatives - see the list of RU Safety Reps. To attend this course, RU staff should:

1. Submit a completed HnS Rep Course Application RU Staff‌‌ + Letter of Designation for a RU Health & Safety Rep: RU HnS Rep Agreement - to the SHE Officer (deadline: 10 days before the start of a course)

2. Receive confirmation from the SHE Officer that they have been accepted on the course.

Note: RU staff who undergo this training and are designated health & safety representatives will be noted on the list of RU Safety Reps and will have the following responsibilities:

1. Representing fellow employee’s interests in terms of occupational health and safety.
2. Reporting to your supervisor any health and safety issues that come to your attention.
3. Doing quarterly health and safety inspections and reports of your designated workplace.
4. Serving on your health and safety sub-committee and attending meetings.
   • and may also be responsible for:
5. Visiting incident sites and attend inspections;
6. Attending investigations / formal inquiries
7. Accompanying an inspector
8. Participating in internal audits
9. Being accompanied by a technical advisor if approved by your employer.

RU staff health and safety rep training

• RU staff who are designatied Health and Safety Representatives may apply to attend. More info about this course below, or contact RU Safety, Health & Environmental Officer, 046-603.7205 or safety(at)ru.ac.za

• Complete both forms and submit to the SHE Officer (deadline: 10 days before the start of a course): 

  HnS Rep Course Application RU Staff + Letter of Designation for a RU Health & Safety Rep: RU HnS Rep Agreement 

Other health and safety resources

• Resource files: H&S Reps in all areas of campus are provided with resources files, as and where required.
• Online resources: All RU staff and students, as well as H&S Reps, are encouraged to make use of online health and safety resources and links.

RU Health & Safety Representatives Course

This in-house course runs for 1 full day (08h30-17h00) or over 2 mornings (09h00-13h00). The course includes a number of short assessments (verbal, written, practical). Note: a formal SETA qualification is not essential for H&S Reps. On successful completion of the course, participants are awarded a Certificate of Attendance, which is valid for the duration of the Health and Safety Rep's tenure. The following are covered:

Introduction to Health & Safety (impact of accidents, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, responsibilities of the employer and of the employee, liability); Health and Safety Representatives (their value in the workplace, appointment, functions); Health and Safety Committees (purpose, meetings); Risks and Hazards; Incidents / Accidents (types, investigating, reporting); First Aid (kits, first aiders); Fire Safety (chemistry of fire, fire control, emergency preparedness, procedures in a fire emergency); Promoting Health & Safety (health and safety in practice, management control).

All RU staff who undertake training through the University should read the Protocol for the Use of Training and Development Opportunities, and bear in mind that you have responsibilities in participating in any course.

If an employee has agreed with management to do an optional task (may do), it becomes obligatory to do that task (shall do): any employee who has accepted designation as a health & safety representative, and receives health & safety rep training through his/her workplace, is required to provide his/her services in this regard in the workplace. 

Return to Rhodes University's Safety front page. Questions/Suggestions? Contact safety(at)ru.ac.za