By Svend Ole H. Poulsen, Campus Service
Photo: Lars Horn

Occupational health and safety representatives play a central role in ensuring a safe and healthy working environment at AAU. They act as a link between staff and management, and work actively with their partner in the local occupational health and safety group to identify and solve health and safety problems. Their efforts are crucial to creating and maintaining a workplace where well-being and safety are paramount.

What does the role of occupational health and safety representative entail?

As a health and safety representative, you have the opportunity to:

• Positively impact the working environment: You help create a better workplace for your colleagues.
• Promote cooperation: You are an important partner for your department management and are instrumental in achieving shared goals of better safety, health and well-being in your department.
• Develop your competencies: Through courses and collaboration in the local occupational health and safety group, you gain new knowledge and experience.

Who can stand for election?

If you are employed at the university, want to make a difference and can hold the position of trust throughout the term of office, which is now three years, you can stand as a candidate. As a general rule, you have to have been employed at the university for at least nine months – and work here more than ten hours a week.

How do you stand for election?

If you are interested in becoming an occupational health and safety representative, you must report your candidacy to the head of your unit (head of department, Shared Services deputy director or equivalent). Your unit head is responsible for conducting the election process in your unit.

When will the election be held?

The election is being held in weeks 10, 11 and 12 (3 March to 21 March 2025). The term of office starts on 1 April 2025 and ends on 31 March 2028. 

Compulsory training

If you are elected as an occupational health and safety representative you must complete a three-day working environment training course, unless you have completed this training within the last 10 years. The training course is offered at the university some time after the election.