Why Refresher Training Matters

admin • May 18, 2026

At BeSafe Victoria, we love seeing how much our Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) get out of returning for Refresher Training. There is no doubt in our minds that HSR Refresher Training is really valuable, and we absolutely love seeing old and new participants come in to share their experiences too. There have been significant changes to legislation and OHS requirements and most recently the introduction of the Psychological Health Regulations. We now deliver the brand new WorkSafe Approved Refresher Course focusing on Psychosocial Hazards and have seen how beneficial this new course is to HSRs, who take their new-found knowledge back to their workplaces.


HSRs play a vital role in protecting the wellbeing of their colleagues. They are the bridge between workers and management, ensuring that safety concerns are heard, understood, and acted upon. While completing the Initial HSR Training is a great start, refresher training is just as important and in fact, it’s an entitlement under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 for all HSRs and deputy HSRs.


1. Keeping Knowledge Current

Workplace safety laws, industry standards, and best practices evolve over time. Annual refresher training ensures HSRs stay up to date with:

  • Changes to OHS legislation in Victoria
  • New hazard control methods and technologies
  • Updated WorkSafe guidance and compliance expectations

This means HSRs can confidently apply the most current safety strategies in their workplace.


2. Strengthening Confidence and Skills

Even the most experienced HSR can benefit from revisiting core principles. Refresher courses:

  • Reinforce understanding of the role of HSRs
  • Provide practical tools for effective consultation and issue resolution
  • Build confidence in raising and addressing safety concerns


3. Creating Space for Real-World Problem Solving

Refresher training offers a collaborative environment where HSRs can:

  • Share experiences and challenges with peers from other workplaces
  • Learn from real-life case studies
  • Explore solutions to complex safety issues

This peer-to-peer learning often sparks new ideas that can be applied immediately back on the job.


4. Strengthening Workplace Safety Culture

When HSRs are well-trained and confident, they inspire others to take safety seriously. Regular refreshers:

  • Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement
  • Encourage open conversations about hazards
  • Help embed safety as a shared responsibility across the workplace


Your Right to Attend

In Victoria, HSRs are entitled to attend a one-day refresher training each year, and employers must allow this. Choosing a WorkSafe-approved provider ensures the training meets standards and delivers practical, relevant content.


Employers who encourage attendance know that HSR refresher training isn’t just a box to tick, it’s an investment in safer, healthier workplaces. By keeping skills sharp and knowledge current, HSRs can continue to be strong advocates for their colleagues and champions of workplace safety. They can play a key role in helping the employer to ensure the workplace is safe and to be compliant with consultation obligations under the OHS Act.


At BeSafe, we can deliver training throughout Victoria. We have listed courses on our website, but these are only the tip of the iceberg! We can book in courses on demand in any location and we can even come and deliver a course on-site at your workplace. Don't forget we also offer free support after your course too!



Get in touch with us: 0407002060 info@besafevictoria.com.au

NEW HSR Refresher OHS Training Course - Aggression or Violence

By admin • August 10, 2026
BeSafe Victoria is pleased to announce the upcoming delivery of a new Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Refresher OHS Training Course focused on Aggression and Violence in the workplace . This is a brand new WorkSafe developed training course, which equips HSRs with practical knowledge and skills to address one of the most significant psychosocial hazards facing Victorian workplaces today. Workplace aggression and violence can occur in any industry and the impacts can be both physical and psychological, not only affecting the person directly involved but also those who witness or are exposed to these incidents. Impacts also extend beyond the workplace to affect family and community. The new course explores aggression and violence through a risk management lens, building skills in hazard identification, assessing risks, finding effective controls and in contributing to effective workplace consultation. The training aligns with the growing emphasis on managing psychosocial hazards and reflects contemporary workplace health and safety expectations, including the management of aggression and violence as a workplace risk. The knowledge gained is important in ensuring that legal obligations, including those relating to the Psychological Health Regulations, are met and that workplaces are safe. As always, BeSafe Victoria is committed to providing engaging, practical and relevant training. This new refresher course offers an excellent opportunity for participants to strengthen their knowledge, build confidence in addressing workplace risks and return to their workplaces with practical strategies for supporting safer work environments. Bookings for this new HSR Refresher OHS Training Course on Aggression and Violence will be available soon. To register your interest, go to HSR Training and support | BeSafe | Regional Victoria or email us at info@besafevictoria.com.au  We look forward to helping you create safer, healthier and more respectful workplaces across Victoria.

Working in the cold

By admin • July 27, 2026
When Winter sweeps across Victoria, temperatures can drop sharply, especially in regional areas and early mornings. For outdoor workers, or those in cold storage and refrigerated environments, these conditions aren’t just uncomfortable, they can be dangerous if not managed properly. Working in a cold environment can lead to: Hypothermia : when body temperature drops below safe levels. Frostbite : damage to skin and tissue from freezing. Reduced dexterity : making tasks harder and increasing risk of incidents. Slips and falls : from ice, frost, or wet surfaces. Fatigue : as the body works harder to stay warm. Increase in prevalence of other conditions: such as arthritis and bronchitis. Under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (The Act), employers must provide a safe working environment. This includes: Identifying cold-related hazards. Implementing control measures to eliminate or reduce the risk as far as reasonably practicable. Follow a risk management process in relation to the hazard. Consult with your workforce throughout the process. When you have identified that you have a cold hazard in your workplace, you must control the risk as far as reasonably practicable. As, always this means working through the Hierarchy of Control from top to bottom. Here are some ways you could think about controlling the cold hazard in your workplace: Eliminate: Think about changing work scheduling if weather is extreme. Substitute: Think about whether you could move the work to another location. Isolate: Protect the workers from the cold, for example by providing shelter. Engineer: Can you provide heating or insulation in this work situation? Administrative controls: Could include changes to the workflow or rosters. Training must be provided, including training in the signs of cold stress and treatment. PPE: Such as weatherproof clothing, hats, face covers, boots, and allowing for drying or replacement of gear.  Don’t forget that, under The Act, Consultation must be undertaken at every step of the process. Monitoring of the controls must also occur, especially as conditions change. Frosts and wind chill factor should be taken into account, as well as seasonal or unexpected weather changes. Cold conditions in Victoria can be managed with the right planning, clothing, and awareness. Employers and workers share the responsibility to ensure everyone stays safe, warm, and healthy through the winter months. Health and safety representatives are a key part of the co-operative process required to create safe workplaces. For more information on this topic, take a look at: Cold - OHS Reps Extreme cold | Comcare For specific guidance regarding cold storage facilities: Safe operation of cold storage facilities: A handbook for workplaces | WorkSafe Victoria