Health and safety representatives

Health and safety representatives are elected by colleagues to represent them in all health and safety matters.

They receive lots of ongoing support from ATL to carry out their duties, which include: 

• representing colleagues in discussions on health, safety or welfare issues with the employer
• investigating hazards and dangerous occurences
• investigating complaints
• carrying out inspections of the workplace and inspecting relevant documents.               

Health and safety representatives are entitled to reasonable time-off, with pay, during normal working hours to carry out their functions and to undergo training (this is provided by ATL).

Information and advice is always available to ATL's health and safety representatives, either from ATL's London, Belfast or Cardiff offices or the out-of-office-hours helpline. 

Representatives also receive a termly copy of ATL's newsletter, Health and safety news,  so they are always up to date with all the latest resources and advice in health and safety. You can download past issues of this resource or order printed copies from the newsletters section of the ATL website.

Finally, a definitive publication, The health and safety guide for schools and colleges  has been produced by ATL to inform all health and safety representatives, as well as other intersted parties.

Further information

• ATL contacts