5. Safety reps, safety committees and taking action on health and safety

This chapter covers the latest official and union guidance on the role and statutory rights of safety reps, of all workers to take action on health and safety, and on safety committees. It starts by highlighting the vital role of safety reps during the Covid-19 pandemic and then explains the practical application of the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (SRSCR). This includes what the regulations say on the appointment of reps, their functions, consultation rights, facilities, paid time off and right to information as well as the function of committees. It also covers enforcement of the regulations and how to report issues to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Finally it looks at health and safety where there is no union, the need for stronger regulations and to push back against threats to union rights, as well as at what protections there are for those who take action including by whistle-blowing.