$$$ for occ safety rep

[LandyAndy]

Hi Guys
Any of you know in industry/mining/other shires what sort of an extra payment is usually paid to take on the safety rep position???
Usually in shires you get put up a level to do it,level 6 is as high as you go in local government,Im getting put up to level 6 as Im the construction grader operator.
I was asked today to take on the occ saftey rep as our current one is now the Works Supervisor and as such shouldnt be doing both.I have said possibly but they need to sort $$$ out as Im not doing it for nothing in this age of everybody sueing one another.
They guys on the crew dont want it and say I should do it.
Do other industries pay X amount per hour to do the job??? If so how much???
Andrew

[Sprint]

screw them, no more money=no more responsibility, if they want you to be the safety rep, they should look at giving you a few perks

[p38arover]

I've never been paid any more to do it - nor to be the Chairman of the OH&S Committee.

[rangieman]

My company does,nt pay any extra for this position

And personaly i wouldnt do the job , as you could lose a lot more than your job with the council if anything goes wrong :eek:

[CraigE]

LandyAndy
In the mining industry you do not get paid more for taking on the job as a safety rep. You do get some benefits like paid training, confrences from time to time and paid work time to carry out your duties. It however does usually reflect in your pay review at that time of year if your manager is objective and honest. I did it for a number of years. The downside is as you are a worker rep and generally looking after their interests ( there are a lot that dont and only say what a manager wants too hear) you may upset management. I upset them on multiple occassions and I believe made a few enemies when they looked rather foolish. But hey if its safety and a real issue I have no problem loading my guns and firing them. Safety is more important than my job. Same as assisting persons that require emergency assistance. It is something you have to be passionate about to do the job effectively. It can be vey satisfying and rewarding at times. Eventually led to my role in ERT. Was also advised at one point by a senior mines inspector to think about becoming a mines inspector as apparently I had the knowledge and apptitude. Maybe something for the future.
Cheers
CraigE

[Blknight.aus]

In my experience the OH+S rep can come with some perks but rarely more pay if your already on a high wicket. But it does have some disadvantages I generally dont take the positions on as it means more paper work and that in turn means more time away from doing the part of the job I love doing.

[dobbo]

No more cash, just a sence of accomplishment and a safer workplace to work in

Along with a sh1tload of meetings in stripclubs, week long junkets, early pi55offs and lunches, overtime when you want it, a tiny bit of paperwork, etc....

[LandyAndy]

Thanks guys!!!!
We are getting dragged into the modern world,courses all the time,same poo different dog every time.
Boils down to the local gov insurance co being able to put blame on us for stuff ups and get out of paying out.
Will see what they say about $$$$,will do it and do it well if Im paid to do so.
Have to do a weeks training for it,first 3 days is on LAW.
Would like to think I could improve things for us workers,BUT a few of them will get HAMMERED if they do what they like doing.Not been held responsible for STUPIDITY!!!
Andrew

[Jamo]

Andrew, I was a rep when I was in the govt. It's not a bad job, but you tend to get hassled by dudes about stuff that isn't really within the parameters of an OSH rep.

Under WA law you cannot be held liable for any omission or failure to do the job (unless you are negligent yourself). The CEO and the organisation take the rap. Vicarious liability.

[JohnE]

interesting the difference between private operators and gov positions.
i was on OHS committees for years , put in a lot of submissions for changes, threatened bosses, with the provisions of the act , even rang workcover to get them in. I am talking about the COPS, so if they can't get it right what hope does the private sector have.
the result of all of that nothing, not a thing was done, changed or otherwise, and workcover, well even their government enforcement team was reluctant to come out and check out another gov department.

my advice is steer clear of it.



john

[crump]

I used to be a contract WHSO for 3 seperate shires in this region, none paid extra for reps and now they have none nor do they have Safety Comittees, something has to change.

[BradM]

Hi Andy,
Take it on (you are going to be the meat in the sandwich though), study part time and get your Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety plus do train the trainer. Then watch the doors open and the Big $ come your way.

A HSE person up this end of the Woods is on $120,000 upwards (well upwards) depending on experience. Down your way, at say Boddington it would probably be the same.

BradM

[Graz]

Hi Andrew

I was the OH & S rep in my outfit for a couple years and got no finantial reward for my time and effort. Some pretty meaty Legislation there to support you in the role.
Go for it. A bit of padding for your CV.

[BMKal]

Hi Andrew.

My experience in mining industry is exactly as Craig has posted. We never paid our OH&S reps any additional dollars, but there are other benefits like training etc. We also paid our reps to attend relevant conferences, Safety days in town and visits to other mine sites for meetings or just a look around other operations in general to get ideas on improvements that could be made in our own workplace.

I also generally found that a person who took on the OHS rep role was keen and showed an increased interest in the job. This usually reflected at salary review time, and the reps almost always got bumped up to the next pay level. When I left the job, all three OHS reps in my area were at the top pay level available.

Jamo's comment about liability in WA is also correct - the OHS rep cannot be held liable for safety defects / failings in the workplace unless he/she has been negligent in the performance of his/her own duties. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide a safe place of work, not the OHS rep. The OHS rep is NOT employed as a safety advisor.

[HangOver]

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