Q: I am unclear if our company needs an HSR. We have an OHS committee comprising PCBU and worker representatives. The company has 90 staff. People are quite comfortable with the committee. Is the company obligated to have an HSR?

A: You are not obliged to have a Health and Safety Representative (HSR). A worker must request that an HSR be elected and then the company must facilitate the election process, which begins with workers deciding the appropriate work groups that the HSR will represent.

In short, an HSR is only required where someone puts their hand up and requests for the organisation to have one.

Please note: The answer is correct at the time of publishing. Be aware that laws may change over time. Refer to Health and safety representatives and committees for current advice.