Effective OHS Committees The OHS Act says we

Effective OH&S Committees The OH&S Act says we must establish health and safety committees in a workplace if…

Effective Committees cont, • there are normally fifty or more employees • the employees are in one designated work group (DWG) • a health and safety representative (HSR) has requested the employer to establish the committee

Health and Safety Committee’s Role • provide help to the employer by jointly developing, implementing, reviewing and updating ways to protect the health and safety of employees • facilitate co – operation between the employer and employees on OHS matters

Health and Safety Committee’s Role cont, • assist the employer with dissemination of information on health and safety at work, in appropriate languages • undertake any functions as prescribed in the OHS Act or regulations • undertake any other functions agreed between the employer and the committee

Health and Safety Committee Role cont, • form an OHS plan and agreement • implement written procedures for work processes, and give priority to processes identified as particularly hazardous • develop, implement and support hazard management programs • carry out regular workplace hazard inspections

Committee Role cont , • assess accident or dangerous occurrence records, injury statistics, and other information important in forming workplace prevention programs • make recommendations on the OHS impact of changes in the workplace

Committee Role cont, • obtain current information on health and safety hazards, and discuss the implication of these hazards in the workplace • be a forum for discussion and resolution of OHS issues in the workplace

The Health and Safety Committee Member’s Role • ensure you attend meetings – if you are not committed to the principle of health and safety do not become a member, because you will waste your time and others • actively participate in meetings

The Health and Safety Committee Member’s Role • represent the views of employees in your DWG and raise issues brought to your attention by your DWG • keep up-to-date with health and safety developments, particularly those which may impact on your DWG

Senior Management Representation • have appropriate senior management representatives on your committee, so that decisions can be approved and actioned without needing to refer them for approval • approving decision “on-the-spot” encourages committee members because they can see their recommendations being implemented

Member Commitment • all committee members should understand be firmly committed to the aims and objectives of the health and safety committee • if a committee member is disinterested or frequently misses meetings, this should be discussed with them

Member Commitment • • • if no remedy is found, the member can be asked to consider being replaced although largely driven by the size of a workplace, the membership of a committee should be kept to a minimum six to twelve members is a good size

Committee Size • ensure a hierarchy still exists to action decisions • you might consider subcommittees to address a specific task • this can mean a quick resolution to problems

Committee Size • committees that are too large will be less effective • consider splitting up a large committee into several smaller committees • you might consider sub-committees to address a specific task • this can mean a quick resolution to problems

Effective Meeting Practices • effective committees have sound meeting practices and processes

Committee Objectives • should be clear and concise • help to keep the committee focused and on track

Chairpersons Need • good communication and negotiation skills • to be able to control the meeting • to ensure the committee resolves the issues raised • to keep the meeting on time • to ensure the minutes are formally recorded and made available to all staff

Committee Members Need • to try and make their attendance at committee meetings on time and a priority • to ensure they comment on agenda items where they believe they cam add to the discussion

Committee Members Need • to actively participate in the business of the committee • to encourage open and frank discussion within the committee so the different interests and issues of members are dealt with • to nominate a proxy if unable to attend a meeting

An agenda is: • distributed to all members prior to the meeting • manageable in size – if it is too long – increase the number of meetings accordingly • focused on OHS issues

The Minutes of the Meetings • need to be clear and concise • identify the issues raised and who has responsibility for follow up • identify a date problems should be resolved by

The Venue Should • be organised well in advance of meetings • have adequate space and seating • have the necessary equipment for the meeting

Benefits of Having a Constitution • protects management, employees and committee members by stating - what the committee must do (its obligations) - what the committee can do (its rights) - what the committee can not do (its limitations)

Benefits of Having a Constitution • minimises the need to call in an investigator by having an agreed procedure for attempting to resolve OH&S problems • explains how employees can raise matters for consideration • explains to all employees and managers – Committee composition – Committee aims – Committee operations

Benefits of Having a Constitution Ø prevents discussion of non OH&S matters Ø prevents disputes about how the committee operates, what it discusses and what its aims are Ø ensures that meetings are held regularly and that they cannot be cancelled arbitrarily