Over the past few years the various occupational health and safety services provided by the Trades Hall Council have been brought together under a single co-ordinated unit. This brings together the Council's policy and affiliate support services with the information and training operations previously provided by the separate Training Centre and OHS Unit. This move establishes the basis for a better and more efficient service to affiliated unions and their members. The support affiliates can seek from Victorian Trades Hall Council Health and Safety Services ranges from training to site inspections. Its primary role is the provision of training and training support services to trade unions, wortcers, health and safety representatives and community groups.
Services are also available to the public and employers.
For workers, the Centre's services are becoming increasingly more important. As the state government continues to reduce the protection provided by government regulation and does away with government inspection of workplaces, workers are being left to their own devices to negotiate safety standards. The Training Centre has developed new training services, designed specifically to assist workers and health and safety representatives deal with those changes. The Centre has introduced several new courses since 1997 focusing on implementation of occupational health and safety systems and standards, together with skills enhancement courses for unions, union officials and representatives. Along with new courses come new delivery formats, including joint training, split sessions and single module delivery.