Operational Health and Safety representative (AMR)

The local occupational health and safety groups in each University entity handle the daily dialogue on local working environment tasks on an ongoing basis. Each OHS group consists of a work supervisor and an OHS representative. The function as OHS representative is handled by employees who want to contribute actively to a good working environment.

An OHS representative will be chosen from among and by all employees in the OHS group’s field. Elections to the OHS organization are held every third year, and all employees without managerial powers have a right to vote.

The management ensures that the employee has the necessary time, knowledge, and competences to perform the role of OHS representative. The amount of time used for the occupational health and safety work in the University entity may vary depending on changes in work tasks and/or working conditions, for example organizational changes, conversions, etc.

In University entities with risky work, there will be a need for specific knowledge—for example about risk assessment—as well as protective devices and equipment. In University entities with primarily clerical work, there may be themes such as screen work and well-being in open-plan offices, requiring other working environment competences.

The OHS representative represents his or her colleagues in conditions pertaining to the working environment and thus holds a special role as a spokesperson for the employees towards the management in working environment cases. In addition to the role as representative of his or her colleagues, the OSH representative performs a number of activities:

• Acting as a working environment ambassador who promotes a constructive focus on a healthy and safe working environment among colleagues and managers. The focus here can be physical conditions, as well as well-being and job satisfaction. 
• Monitoring that the working conditions are in compliance with the existing working environment legislation, as well as with DTU’s working environment sub-policy, and DTU’s guidelines. 
• Promoting that the OHS group functions and works efficiently.
• Assisting in the implementation of workplace assessment (APV), including an assessment of the workplace in connection with changes in working conditions and/or tasks. 
• Informing and advising colleagues on working environment issues. 
• Contributing to ensuring that employees are aware of any risks involved in their work and that they receive the necessary instruction and training, as well as access to necessary protective devices and technical aids. 
• Assisting in registration and analysis of accidents and near incidents aimed at creating learning in the organization and initiating actions and initiatives for improvements.

The OHS representative discusses working environment problems with the work supervisor in the OHS group on an ongoing basis, and they can bring these issues before the Work Environmental Committee if they cannot be resolved in the OHS group.