Health & Safety Representative (HSR) Fundamentals

This course covers the fundamentals of the Health and Safety Representative role and helps them to understand the role and responsibilities as a representative and meet the minimum regulatory requirements for training.

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Duration
1 Day
Topic
Health & Safety Representative
Next session
25 Sept 2026 · 22 dates
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At a glance

Course details

Duration: 1 Day
Unit Standard:

Unit #   Name Level 
Credits  
29315 Describe the role and functions of the Health and Safety Representative in a New Zealand workplace  3 2

Overview

Health & Safety Representative (HSR) Fundamentals course overview

Simply telling someone they are an HSR does not give them the skills and knowledge to carry out the role effectively. This one-day Health and Safety Representative Fundamentals course provides a practical introduction to the HSR role and responsibilities, supporting learners to meet the minimum training requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).
 
We don't do ‘death by PowerPoint’ or dry compliance lectures. Instead, our industry-experienced trainers get learners stuck in, using examples and scenario-based group work that reflect the reality of New Zealand workplaces. Participants build practical skills in understanding the HSR role, communicating with workers and management, and supporting participation in health and safety processes. The course introduces key concepts such as hazard identification, risk management, and the role of HSRs in supporting safer workplaces, including the use of Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs).
 
IMPAC’s focus is on building practical capability that adds genuine value to your workplace, rather than just ticking a compliance box. Participants leave with a clear understanding of their responsibilities and the confidence to step into the HSR role and contribute to effective worker participation.

Curriculum

What you'll cover

This course is designed for:
  • Workers who have been elected or appointed as Health and Safety Representatives and need a practical foundation for the role.
  • Managers who want to understand how the HSR role works in practice and how to support effective worker participation.
  • Organisations that need new HSRs to build confidence in communication, representation, and basic risk management from day one.

Our approach

+IMPAC's Health & Safety Representative (HSR) Fundamentals training approach

This Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) fundamentals course is run as a practical, trainer-led session built around the kinds of conversations and decisions HSRs deal with in real workplaces. Learners work through guided discussion, short teaching inputs, and realistic scenarios so they can make sense of the role instead of just memorising definitions.
 
Throughout the day, the focus stays on what an HSR actually needs to do well: speak up for workers, communicate clearly with managers, recognise when something needs to be escalated, and understand the basics of hazard identification and risk management. The course also introduces how Provisional Improvement Notices fit into the wider health and safety process, so learners leave with a clearer view of where the role starts, where it has influence, and how it supports safer day-to-day work.

Format

Course format and duration

This course is delivered over one day.

Training is available in person nationwide or live online via Zoom, publicly or in-house.

Upcoming sessions

Public courses – Book now

Want to discuss running Health & Safety Representative (HSR) Fundamentals at your organisation?

Enquire now

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

This course is suited to workers elected or appointed as HSRs, as well as managers wanting to better understand the role. It is especially useful for workplaces looking to strengthen worker participation and improve communication around hazards, risks, and safety concerns. It provides a practical starting point without assuming prior HSR experience.

This course helps meet the minimum training requirements for elected Health and Safety Representatives under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. It provides an important foundation for HSRs to understand their role, worker participation processes, and how to engage effectively with workplace health and safety matters.

No, previous health and safety experience is not required. Learners do need written and spoken English equivalent to NCEA Level 1 (Year 11) or an IELTS score of 5.5 or higher. If a learner may need additional support, please contact our team before enrolment to discuss available support options.

This course is available face-to-face and live online via Zoom, allowing learners to complete HSR training in the format that best suits their workplace and scheduling requirements.

The course runs for 1 day, covering the core role, responsibilities, and practical functions of a Health and Safety Representative, including worker engagement and participation requirements.

Yes, this course includes one assessment for NZQA Unit Standard 29315.

This course includes NZQA Unit Standard 29315, which covers the role and functions of a Health and Safety Representative in a New Zealand workplace.

Yes, this course can be delivered in-house either face-to-face or online. In-house training can help Health and Safety Representatives develop a more consistent understanding of their role, responsibilities, and workplace consultation processes.

Please bring a driver’s licence or another form of photo identification to training.

For public face-to-face courses, morning tea and lunch are provided. If you have dietary requirements such as allergies, vegan, or gluten-free needs, please contact IMPAC at training@impac.co.nz at least two working days before training. Please note that dietary preferences cannot be accommodated.

If you are completing an online or eLearning course with IMPAC for the first time, you will receive your LMS login details within 24 hours of receiving your course instructions email.

You can access IMPAC’s LMS by clicking here.

You can reset your username and password by clicking here and entering your email address.

Pricing depends on the delivery method.

In-house: $3600 + GST for up to 12 persons, with additional persons charged at $195 + GST each (maximum of 16).

Public (face-to-face): $360 + GST per person.

Public (online): $325 + GST per person.

Continue learning

Further study options

If you’re continuing your learning journey in health and safety, this course can contribute towards IMPAC’s Certificate in Applied Workplace Health and Safety Practices (Level 3), which leads to the New Zealand Certificate in Workplace Health and Safety Practice (Level 3).

This course is a compulsory module within the programme, allowing you to build on your existing training while working towards a recognised qualification over time.  Browse all Health & Safety Representative training courses.

This programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under section 439 of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Impac Services Limited is accredited to provide it under section 441 of the Education and Training Act.

What's next

Next steps

To get started, you can book now.
 
To explore more courses in this area, see the Health & Safety Representative Training category.
 
If you are building capability beyond the basics, this course also sits well alongside HSR Stage 2: Risk Assessment and Incident Investigation, Fire Warden and Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa.

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