As a H&S representative our has organisation has not considered any payment or allowance in recognition for rendered work to a Health and Safety rep.

One thing springs to mind: Conflict of interest, making decisions that could look to be bias or impaired due to financial gain. What would be unsettling for me to receive monetary recognition would be the 'look that it sets' to my colleagues that I advocate for.
I am nominated and voted to be the voice of the staff that voted me in. Receiving an allowance from the stakeholder that I am supposed to challenge would look un-ethical and I know the guys, it won't sit well with them as well.
I would think that if any negative issues were raised regarding ' my decisions for our staff ' my chances would be pretty poor of seeking re-election.
Although in my view the H&S rep in some organisations are highly valuable and are not recognised for their efforts. But, it seems that some organisations want to recognise their H&S rep, so offering alternative recognition options other than money would be ideal.

Awesome topic, & Interesting discussion Michelle. It begs the question whether the two roles conflict at points of tension?

I like how you have discussions with your group to fish out there depth of understanding. They would only know what impacts they make if they understand the PD they've been given, and how that transitions over into multiple roles.

I suppose another question would be the how would frontline staff answer your initial question :-) re: HR vs H&S

Hey Antony, I work In a industry that is by in large historic!! the average age of my organisation is 55yrs. I encounter these barriers/attitudes you speak of quite often. You cant wave a magic wand and expect to fix it over night. However what I found useful was at the heart of the matter for these loyal hard working experienced people was this. People who have been in the industry longer than 30yrs felt disrespected and found it insulting for others to tell them how to do a job & do it safely!!

How would you feel if you have been doing the job for a long time and someone half your age, with all of 5mins of experience and a jumped attitude with no people skills expects you to follow the rules that he sets because he is in a position of authority!!

My tack was this, find the most influential people (not management) on the shop floor, H&S rep or long serving personnel. Build a relationship of empathy with them, by that ask them questions that allow them to vent because its built up frustration that is the barrier for progress. Empathise and agree even if you don't !! Now, explain that you need help & assistance in a certain area, and ask if he/she could help you? what this does is now take away the focus of fixing a corporate target or organisation goal into helping you.
Most old school people have strong values and entrenched principles which means they still like helping out when asked correctly. So don't tell them what to do (Ask them what to do) you'll find that they'll respect you a lot more as well. :-)