The law

[ch 4: page 32]

Consultation with ROES should cover:

• the introduction of measures which substantially affect the health and safety of employees;

• arrangements for appointing or nominating safety representatives;

• the health and safety information they are entitled to receive by statute;

• the organising of any training that employees will receive; and

• the consequences for employee health and safety of the introduction of new technologies.

Employers can choose to consult with elected representatives (regulation 4) and those representatives have to be given the necessary time off with pay during working hours to perform their functions and for training (regulation 7). Candidates for election as an ROES rep have the right to reasonable paid time off during their working hours to perform their functions as a candidate.

The employer should permit each of those representatives to take time off with pay during the representative’s working hours as is necessary for them to perform their functions (regulation 6). These are:

• to inform the employer of potential hazards and dangerous occurrences;

• to work with the employer on general matters affecting health and safety at work; and

• to represent employees in consultations at the workplace with inspectors.