Safety representative with an ear to the ground

Work environment issues are important. All workplaces with at least five employees should have safety representatives. These representatives are appointed by the employee organisations (trade unions), as Uppsala University has collective agreements with these. The safety representatives are thus elected representatives.

Anna Backman is museum shop manager at the Linnaean Gardens of Uppsala and works mainly on visitor activities of various kinds at all of the gardens. But she is also a safety representative. Safety representatives are organised into seven areas. Backman, in her role as safety representative, is part of area 3, which includes the Linnaean Gardens of Uppsala, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Geo Centre, Erken Laboratory and Klubban Biological Station.

What does being a safety representative entail?

“A safety representative can step in when the employer is not taking responsibility for work environment issues,” explains Backman. “Problems should be raised with the manager in the first instance, but sometimes the safety representative needs to step in instead.

“The safety representative participates in systematic work environment management and monitors work environment issues. The representatives are involved in safety inspections and risk analyses and take part in the management of incidents when they occur.

“You have one ear to the ground and try to keep one eye on what is happening,” notes Backman. “And there are good opportunities to positively influence the work environment.”

How do I benefit as a member of staff from the safety representatives?

“If you can’t get your work environment concerns heard, a safety representative can help,” replies Backman. “We know a lot about the work environment and protection. In many workplaces, safety representatives also have to deal with a lot of conflict management. However, this is not the case at my workplace.

Confidentiality and powers

"Safety representatives are bound by confidentiality and must have the employee’s permission to take action. The powers and options available to a safety representative include imposing a safety representative stoppage if the employer fails to remedy shortcomings. This happened, for example, in one area at Uppsala University during the pandemic where staff and students had difficulty keeping distance.”

But isn’t it difficult to be a representative for your colleagues?

“It’s always good to have several safety representatives, because they are good at and work on different things,” says Backman. You can share experiences and knowledge. We have previously had three representatives here, but now we are two. My colleague works mostly on work environment issues concerning the gardeners, while I take care of soft and office issues.”

Is being a safety representative regarded as an asset?

“I have not been contacted very often in my role as safety representative,” says Backman. “I have a management team that is both concerned and knowledgeable about work environment issues. However, we are constantly discovering new and odd things at work that affect the work environment. One example is all the concerts held in our gardens. This involves motorised traffic in the gardens. We work well with external operators.”

Good idea to serve for two periods

Backman doesn’t spend much time on her role as safety representative.

“I take part in safety inspections and some meetings, but this also gives me the opportunity to influence my job,” she notes.

What support is available and do safety representatives receive any training?

“The university offers a basic training programme for safety representatives, but there is little in the way of refresher courses or further training,” she replies. “Once a year we have a safety representative day, but that is organised by the chief safety representatives. This gives us the chance to exchange experiences.”

If I want to become a safety representative, how do I go about it?

“The safety representatives are elected by the employee organisations (trade unions) during their meetings in the autumn,” says Backman. “You can register your interest at staff meetings. Stand for election, very simply!”

Safety representatives are elected for three years at a time. Backman considers it a good idea to serve as safety representative for two periods.

“That is how you learn about the role,” she says. “And when you leave the role of safety representative, in most cases you remain at the workplace and can share your experience and knowledge.”

Ulrika Hurtig