Who has the authority to remove a Site Safety and Health Representative (SSHR) from office?

The authority to remove a Site Safety and Health Representative (SSHR) from office resides with the minister. In the context of safety regulation, particularly under Queensland’s mining and resources legislation, SSHRs are elected representatives whose primary role is to promote health and safety within the workplace. These representatives serve a crucial function, and their removal is not something that can be decided at a local site management level or by peers.

The minister's role entails ensuring compliance with the overarching legislation pertaining to health and safety in the workplace, which includes the establishment and operation of SSHRs. Removing an SSHR requires a formal process aligned with regulatory guidelines, thereby ensuring that such actions are consistent with the principles of workplace safety and democratic representation.

In contrast, while the site manager and workers' committee have significant roles in safety matters, they do not possess the final authority to dismiss an SSHR. The chief inspector oversees health and safety regulations but typically does not engage in the removal process of SSHRs. This hierarchical structure underscores the importance of maintaining checks and balances within the safety governance framework.