Elected Safety Representatives' (ESR) Network

Regulation 1 Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989 and shall come into force on 18th September 1989.

Why ESRs exist: To give representation to the offshore workforce in all matters of Health & Safety.

Who ESRs represent – The platform is broken into constituencies (No more than 40 people in each) which relate to their role in Drilling, Construction, Operations etc. Each constituency has at least 1 safety rep to provide representation.

What powers and functions do they have? - They have a direct line to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) if they are in disagreement with supervision or management. Safety Representatives have special training and some defined functions. For example, they can carry out workplace inspections and be involved in investigating incidents as part of a team to afford an unbiased & neutral view.

Who can become an Elected Safety Rep? – Any member of the workforce who wants to represent their fellow worker. They are proposed and seconded by members of the constituency that they are to serve in. They would typically be expected to serve for a 2 year period before being re-elected.

What are the duties of an Elected Safety Rep?

• Investigate potential hazards and dangerous occurrences and to examine the causes of accidents.
• Investigate complaints by any member of his constituency relating to the occupational health and safety.
• Make representations to the installation manager.
• Attend meetings of the safety committee.
• Represent constituency members in consultations with inspectors.
• Consult constituency members on any matters arising from the above.

The ESR Network is a group of elected safety representatives who have a huge influence on Step Change in Safety's activities.

Formerly known as the SCLT ESRs (Step Change in Safety Leadership Team Elected Safety Reps), different members of the group have attended every Leadership Team meeting since 2011 and speak on behalf of their colleagues on the issues which generate interest or cause concern. Their presence at these meetings is invaluable and ensures our activities are fully aligned with the workforce.

ESRs have a voice and our ESR Network is definitely listened to. If you would like to raise an issue through the group, please email them.

On September 18th 2019, thirty years to the day since the introduction of the SI971 safety regulations, Step Change in Safety held the largest ever Safety Rep Day at Aberdeen’s P&J Live where we launched “Safety Rep Essentials” - new, HSE-supported guidance for OIMs, Supervisors, Employers and Elected Safety Reps.

The purpose of “Safety Rep Essentials” is to reinvigorate and protect the critical role of offshore elected safety representatives (ESRs).

The three new guides have been developed to improve engagement with ESRs, provide clear expectations around the role, and provide ESRs with a sense of purpose, direction and motivation. One of the guides explains the functions and powers of ESRs, a second provides guidance for offshore installation managers, and the third targets onshore departments.