01
Know your role
Understand the legal standing, rights, responsibilities, authority and professional conduct expected of Safety Representatives.
Safety Representative training
SHE Representative Short Course
SHE Representative Short Course
Workplace Safety Training
Develop the practical knowledge to represent employees in workplace health and safety matters—from legal responsibilities and hazard identification to inspections, PPE, incident reporting and emergency preparedness.
100% online • 6 comprehensive modules • 49 core lessons • Beginner level • Final assessment
Course feeR850
R850Course fee
BeginnerCourse level
6Learning modules
49Core lessons
OnlineStudy format
Practical workplace representation
Build confidence as a workplace Safety Representative
This Safety Representative (SHE Rep) Training Course is designed to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to perform the role effectively in South African workplaces. The course focuses on general occupational health and safety principles and is designed to be industry-neutral.
- Understand the role, rights, duties and limitations of a Safety Representative.
- Identify workplace hazards and contribute to practical risk-assessment processes.
- Monitor safe work practices, PPE use and the effectiveness of safety controls.
- Participate in inspections, reporting, safety committees and incident investigations.
- Support emergency preparedness and workplace response arrangements.
- Represent employee concerns and promote constructive safety communication.
What you will learn
From legal duties to practical workplace participation
The learning path develops the everyday capabilities a Safety Representative needs to identify concerns, participate in workplace safety structures, document findings and help drive practical improvements.
02
Identify and manage risk
Distinguish hazards from risks, participate in HIRA and understand the hierarchy of controls used to reduce workplace risk.
03
Inspect and monitor
Plan workplace inspections, use checklists, document findings and monitor whether safety measures remain effective.
04
Respond and improve
Support incident reporting and investigations, follow up corrective actions and contribute to emergency preparedness and safety culture.
Who should enrol?
Designed for Safety Representatives across industries
The course is suitable for newly appointed Safety Representatives, existing representatives requiring refresher training, supervisors and employees involved in workplace health and safety structures.
New SHE RepresentativesExisting Safety RepsSupervisorsSafety committee membersWorkplace OHS teamsBeginner OHS learners
Course package
Structured learning with practical resources
- 6 comprehensive modules containing 49 core lesson pages.
- 100% online delivery through the Tutor LMS learning environment.
- SHE Rep Student Handbook included as a downloadable course resource.
- Practical templates and samples including a Section 17 appointment, HIRA samples, committee-meeting record and incident-investigation form.
- Module quizzes and final assessment are referenced in the course information.
- Course certificate functionality is configured in the Tutor LMS course setup.
Course curriculum
6 modules. 49 core lessons.
The curriculum progresses from the legal role of the Safety Representative through risk assessment, safe work practices, inspections, incident investigation and emergency preparedness.
MODULE 1: ROLE OF THE SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE & LEGAL FRAMEWORK8 lessons
- Lesson 1.1: What Is a Safety Representative?
- Lesson 1.2: Legal Requirement for Safety Representatives
- Lesson 1.3: Rights of Safety Representatives
- Lesson 1.4: Duties and Responsibilities of Safety Representatives
- Lesson 1.5: Employer and Employee Responsibilities
- Lesson 1.6: Safety Committees
- Lesson 1.7: Authority and Limitations of Safety Representatives
- Lesson 1.8: Ethical Conduct and Professionalism
MODULE 2: HAZARD IDENTIFICATION & RISK ASSESSMENT8 lessons
- Lesson 2.1: Understanding Hazards and Risks
- Lesson 2.2: Types of Workplace Hazards
- Lesson 2.3: Identifying Hazards in the Workplace
- Lesson 2.4: Introduction to Risk Assessment
- Lesson 2.5: The Hierarchy of Controls
- Lesson 2.6: Reviewing and Updating Risk Assessments
- Lesson 2.7: Role of the Safety Representative in Risk Management
- Lesson 2.8: Common Failures in Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
MODULE 3: SAFE WORK PRACTICES & PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)9 lessons
- Lesson 3.1: Understanding Safe Work Practices
- Lesson 3.2: Role of Safety Representatives in Promoting Safe Work Practices
- Lesson 3.3: Introduction to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Lesson 3.4: Selecting the Correct PPE
- Lesson 3.5: Proper Use and Maintenance of PPE
- Lesson 3.6: Common Safe Work Practice Failures
- Lesson 3.7: Encouraging Compliance Through Observation and Communication
- Lesson 3.8: Integrating Safe Work Practices into Daily Operations
- Lesson 3.9: Safety Signage and Labelling
MODULE 4: WORKPLACE INSPECTIONS & MONITORING8 lessons
- Lesson 4.1: Purpose of Workplace Inspections
- Lesson 4.2: Role of Safety Representatives in Inspections
- Lesson 4.3: Planning an Effective Inspection
- Lesson 4.4: Types of Workplace Inspections
- Lesson 4.5: Inspection Tools and Checklists
- Lesson 4.6: Reporting and Documenting Findings
- Lesson 4.7: Monitoring Safety Measures
- Lesson 4.8: Using Inspections to Promote Safety Culture
MODULE 5: INCIDENT REPORTING & INVESTIGATION8 lessons
- Lesson 5.1: Understanding Workplace Incidents
- Lesson 5.2: Legal Obligations for Reporting Incidents
- Lesson 5.3: Role of Safety Representatives in Incident Reporting
- Lesson 5.4: Conducting Incident Investigations
- Lesson 5.5: Documenting and Reporting Investigations
- Lesson 5.6: Follow-Up and Corrective Actions
- Lesson 5.7: Confidentiality and Ethical Considerations
- Lesson 5.8: Using Incident Data to Improve Workplace Safety
MODULE 6: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE8 lessons
- Lesson 6.1: Understanding Workplace Emergencies
- Lesson 6.2: Legal Duties Related to Emergency Preparedness
- Lesson 6.3: Risk Assessment for Emergencies
- Lesson 6.4: Developing and Implementing Emergency Plans
- Lesson 6.5: Conducting Emergency Drills
- Lesson 6.6: Responding to Real Emergencies
- Lesson 6.7: Post-Emergency Review
- Lesson 6.8: Promoting a Safety Culture Through Emergency Preparedness
Course Exam | SHE Rep Short CourseFinal exam
- Final course assessment following completion of the learning modules.
- The course information states that the final exam determines successful or unsuccessful completion.
Course pathway
Identify. Inspect. Represent. Improve.
The course translates Safety Representative responsibilities into practical actions that can be applied across a wide range of workplaces.
1
Identify hazards
Recognise physical, mechanical, ergonomic, electrical and other workplace hazards before they lead to harm.
2
Inspect the workplace
Use observations and checklists to identify unsafe conditions, unsafe practices and gaps in existing controls.
3
Represent employees
Raise concerns professionally, participate in safety structures and provide practical employee input to management.
✓
Follow up and improve
Track corrective actions, learn from incidents and help strengthen ongoing safety awareness and emergency readiness.
South African workplace context
Industry-neutral Safety Representative training
The course material is framed around the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and associated workplace safety requirements, while using examples from offices, warehousing, factories, construction and other general work environments.
Practical focus: Learners work through realistic examples involving slips and falls, machinery, manual handling, PPE, inspections, emergency arrangements, incident reporting and communication between employees and management. Current legislation and site-specific requirements should always take precedence when applying the training in practice.
Strengthen workplace safety participation
Enrol for R850
Build practical Safety Representative knowledge through structured online training designed for South African workplaces.
Frequently asked questions
SHE Representative Short Course information
Who is this course designed for?
It is designed for newly appointed Safety Representatives, existing Safety Representatives requiring refresher training, supervisors and employees involved in workplace health and safety structures.
Is the course industry specific?
No. The course overview describes it as industry-neutral and applicable across manufacturing, construction, warehousing, retail, offices, logistics and service environments.
Is the course fully online?
Yes. The course information describes the programme as fully online.
What does the course cover?
The six main modules cover the Safety Representative role and legal framework, hazard identification and risk assessment, safe work practices and PPE, workplace inspections and monitoring, incident reporting and investigation, and emergency preparedness and response.
What is the course fee?
The Tutor LMS export lists the course fee as R850.
What level is the course?
Tutor LMS lists the course as Beginner level.
Is there a final assessment?
Yes. The course contains a final course exam, and the student course information states that the final exam determines successful or unsuccessful completion.