SRSC 1977: HSE Union Safety Representatives Rules

Regulatory citation: Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (SI 1977/500)

What Are the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations?

The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (SRSC) apply where an employer recognises a trade union. A recognised union may appoint safety representatives from among the employees, and the employer must consult them on health and safety matters affecting the employees they represent. The regulations also give representatives rights to inspect, investigate, see documents and take paid time off.

Why SRSC Matters

Workers often see hazards first. Union safety representatives give them a formal, protected route to raise concerns and influence decisions. Employers who do not recognise unions, or whose employees are not covered, must consult under the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 instead.

Core Obligations

1. Accept Union Appointments (reg 3)

A recognised trade union may appoint safety representatives and tell the employer in writing who they are and which employees they represent. So far as is reasonably practicable, a representative should have worked for the employer for the past two years or have at least two years' experience in similar employment.

2. Allow Representatives to Carry Out Their Functions (reg 4(1))

Functions include investigating potential hazards, dangerous occurrences and the causes of accidents, investigating employee complaints, making representations to the employer, carrying out inspections, representing employees in consultations with inspectors, receiving information from inspectors and attending safety committee meetings. These functions do not impose legal duties on the representative.

3. Give Paid Time Off and Training (reg 4(2))

The employer must allow representatives time off with pay during working hours to perform their functions and to undergo training that is reasonable in the circumstances, having regard to the relevant HSE code of practice.

4. Consult in Good Time (reg 4A(1))

Employers must consult representatives in good time on: any measure that may substantially affect employees' health and safety; arrangements for appointing competent persons and people to help with fire safety; health and safety information employees must receive; the planning of required training; and the health and safety consequences of new technology.

5. Support Workplace Inspections (regs 5 and 6)

After giving reasonable written notice, representatives may inspect the workplace once every three months, or more often with the employer's agreement. They may inspect again sooner after a substantial change in conditions or new hazard information. After a reportable accident, dangerous occurrence or disease, they may inspect the area where it is safe and their employees may be affected.

6. Share Documents and Information (reg 7)

With reasonable notice, representatives may inspect and copy documents the employer must keep under health and safety law, except individual health records. Employers must also provide information they need, with limited exceptions such as national security, personal information without consent, serious commercial harm and legal proceedings.

7. Set Up a Safety Committee on Request (reg 9)

If at least two safety representatives ask in writing, the employer must set up a safety committee within three months. It must first consult the requesting representatives and recognised unions, and post a notice showing the committee's members and the workplaces it covers.

Common Compliance Approaches

Agree a Written Framework

Set out the number of representatives, the groups they cover, inspection schedules and time-off arrangements with the recognised unions.

Consult Early on Change

Build representative consultation into project plans for new equipment, layouts and procedures, before decisions are fixed.

Use HSE Guidance L146

HSE's L146, Consulting workers on health and safety, contains the Approved Codes of Practice and guidance for these regulations and the 1996 regulations.

Example: SRSC in Practice

A bus depot recognises a transport union, which appoints three safety representatives. Two of them write to the depot manager asking for a safety committee, and the committee meets for the first time eight weeks later. When the depot plans to install a new vehicle wash, the manager shares the risk assessment with the representatives before ordering the equipment. One representative raises a concern about slippery floors, and anti-slip matting and a drainage change are added to the plan.

Related regulations: HSCER 1996 consultation with employees, MHSWR risk assessments, WHS health and safety representatives.

Note: This summary reflects the regulations as they apply in Great Britain. Offshore installations have separate safety representative regulations, and Northern Ireland has equivalent but separate legislation. Always check the current legislation and HSE guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the SRSC Regulations apply to non-union workplaces?

No. They apply where an employer recognises a trade union that has appointed safety representatives. Other employees must be consulted under the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996.

How often can safety representatives inspect the workplace?

Normally once every three months for any area, after reasonable written notice. More frequent inspections are allowed with the employer's agreement, after substantial changes, or after reportable incidents.

Must employers create a safety committee?

Yes, if at least two safety representatives request one in writing. The committee must be set up within three months of the request.