Health and Safety Management Safety Representatives Safety Officers

Health and Safety Management Safety Representatives Safety Officers And Safety Committees

Members and Meetings • All work areas should be represented • Members should be interested, concerned and willing to learn more about h&s • Willing to meet once a month and to communicate with workers • Meetings discuss workers’ concerns • Possible solutions • Approaches to management negotiations • Ongoing concerns and progress reports to union

Joint labour-management h&s committees • Most countries have legislation on committees for bigger firms [50 +] with legal composition, authority and functions. Worker Safety Reps have strong legal rights • Many unions also have collective agreements which establish h&s committees with trade union Safety Reps, Safety Policies Company Safety Officers and Prevention Programmes

Composition • Laws vary, size depends on number of workers, shifts, activities and locations • Committees must be balanced • There should never be less than two elected worker reps, and management reps must have authority to represent the company • Chair should rotate • Meet once a month and after accidents

Authority • Executive decision making and budget • Advisory / can make recommendations, but no guarantee the company will comply • Company should consider and give reasons if they do not accept proposals • Procedure to resolve differences • Collective bargaining demands

Functions of Committee • Conduct regular inspections and surveys on safety and health • Respond to workers concerns on OHS • Make reports and recommendations to improve compliance with law and standards • Propose policies, work plans, projects and activities to reduce accidents and illness • Propose and organise training programmes for the workforce

Functions of Committee • Promote and support activities on OHS • Follow up progress of proposals • Report on results achieved, point out obstacles and problems • Investigate, record and report on all accidents, ill health and near misses • Propose regulations on health and safety • Organise occupational health services

Union reps’ role on the Committee • Represent the interests and concerns of workers and promote the union policies • Conduct inspections, interviews, surveys and meetings with workers, inform, communicate. • Identify hazards, make proposals and negotiate improvements • Push for high standards, ensure compliance • Make formal complaints • Assist with representation and compensation

Employer’s role- Planning and Coordination • Understand the legislative requirements and have a written health and safety policy. • Identify hazards, make a site specific health and safety plan and method statements before work starts • Designate OSH responsibilities - safety officer to implement safety management on site • Conduct inspections, and meetings with all subcontractors and with workers to inform, communicate and coordinate and to provide training • Have the necessary information on site regarding hazards and conduct regular tool box meetings • Use the safety committee as the motor for prevention

What makes a committee work? • Have a plan and objectives and actively pursue them with the broadest support possible • Communicate and educate to get that support • Need facilities, time off, info and training • Agendas in advance, proper minutes, decisions • If union reps make coherent proposals in writing: describe the problem, include the facts; suggest improvements; decide who will do what; timetable and budget.