One of the colleagues
The health and safety representative is elected among the colleagues, and he/she is the one who goes to the company with safety matters on behalf of the colleagues. He/she will participate in safety meetings and raise the voice of the colleagues. The workers know best what the safety issues are and what is the best ways to improve the working environment. That’s why the law says that the colleagues must elect a safety representative.
When can we elect a health and safety representative?
If you are 5 employees from the same company on a construction site, you must elect a safety representative. AND
In companies with 10 employees, you also must elect a health and safety representative for the whole company. In big companies is it common to elect safety representative for every department. For example, one for the demolishers, one for the carpenters and one for the concrete workers.
How do we elect a safety representative?
First, we recommend that you call the union (3F). They will help you settle the election.
If you are going to elect a health and safety representative on the construction site, you can agree on a date for the election. It is important that all colleagues and apprentices are informed about the election, so they have the possibility to participate. Your boss or construction leader cannot be elected nor participate in the election! And the company has no right to interfere in the election.
Hvem har valgret til valg af arbejdsmiljørepræsentant? - Arbejdstilsynet (at.dk)
Every colleague can run for health and safety representative, except for apprentices. But apprentices can still vote.
If you want to select a health and safety representative in the company, you often will need to get the company to arrange it. But most important, call the union for advice.
Now I am a health and safety representative. What’s next?
If you are elected as a health and safety representative, you always must call the union and tell them. The union can help you with your tasks as a safety representative and they offer courses that equip you for the task. Contact the unionen
As a health and safety representative on the construction site, you must participate in the safety meeting on the site. You are the voice of your colleagues, so it is very important that you talk to all your colleagues before the meetings and ask if the have any trouble you should bring to the meeting. You will also be the person your colleagues got to if they have questions or problems with safety, working environment og stress.
If you are elected as health and safety representative for the whole company or a department in the company, you will participate in meetings about the safety and working environment in the company in general. The company should involve you in the planning of the work. Also here you are the voice of your colleagues.
Your most important task is to keep in touch with your colleagues and ask them how they think safety and working environment could be improved. You are the one who go to the company on behalf of your colleagues and fight for them. But remember: A representative is never stronger than the people he or she represent. It is very important that all colleagues stand behind the health and safety representative. If we stand together, we are stronger.
As a health and safety representative you are protected against dismissal. If the company dismiss you, contact the union immediately.
Read the official rules
Source: Samarbejde om arbejdsmiljø på midlertidige eller skiftende arbejdssteder på bygge- og anlægsområdet - Arbejdstilsynet (at.dk)