2. Occupational Health and Safety
topics such as the importance of an
effective consultative mechanism are
being emphasized in Intellitrain’s
Certificate IV in Frontline
Management.
3. Occupational Health and Safety
Committees are a requirement by
law in NSW for companies that
employ over 20 staff, where a
majority of employees have
requested a committee be
established.
4. There are different regulations that
apply within each State in Australia
and as a manager you need to
investigate and be aware of the
legislation that applies to you, your
company and your industry.
5. Information on the latest laws can
be checked by visiting the NSW
legislation website
(www.legislation.nsw.gov.au).
The following information has been
sourced from
www.workcover.nsw.gov.au and is
correct at time of publication
(January 2011).
6. You can view the fact sheet at this
URL:
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/form
spublications/publications/Documents/
ohs_training_manual_insert_factsheet
4_2704.pdf
7. Fact Sheet – How to set up an OHS
(Occupational Health and Safety)
Committee
An OHS Committee is established
when:
◦ there are 20 or more employees and the
majority of employees request that an
OHS Committee be established, or
8. ◦ WorkCover NSW directs that an OHS
Committee be established, or
◦ the employer, in consultation with their
employees, establishes an OHS
Committee
9. 4 phases to establishing an OHS
Committee:
1. Lay the groundwork
2. Determine the OHS Committee
membership
3. Form an OHS Committee
4. Evaluation
10. PHASE 1: LAY THE GROUNDWORK
Become familiar with the Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2000 (The
Act), Occupational Health and Safety
Regulation 2001 (the Regulation) and
the OHS Consultation Code of Practice
2001
11. Consider whether an OHS
Committee is the most appropriate
consultation arrangement for health
and safety matters in your workplace
Determine the composition of the
OHS Committee, ensure that
different workgroups are adequately
represented
12. Consult and educate managers and
employees to let them know the
OHS Committee’s purpose, start
date and their role in supporting the
Committee
13. PHASE 2: DETERMINE OHS
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Determine, through consultation, the
number of employer and employee
representatives on the OHS
Committee
14. It is beneficial to consider inviting
sub-contractors and their employees
to observe Committee
meetings, particularly when common
OHS issues arise.
15. Committee members should be
allowed to invite a delegate from a
trade union or employer association
to a Committee meeting. The
delegate may address the meeting if
the Chairperson agrees.
16. There are no formal qualifications
required of Committee
members, however the following
characteristics would be beneficial in
Committee representatives:
◦ ability to effectively represent members
of the workgroup
◦ ability to see other viewpoints
17. ◦ commitment to improving the
management of OHS
◦ communication skills
18. Explain to employees what is involved
in being on an OHS Committee and
what training will be provided if they
are elected or appointed
Appoint and notify employer
representatives
19. Decide on an election process for
employee representatives and
conduct an election
Inform all employees and
management of the names of OHS
Committee representatives
20. Provide representatives with a copy
of the Code of Practice and any other
relevant information (including
existing OHS procedures)
21. PHASE 3: FORM OHS COMMITTEE
All members of the OHS Committee
must undertake OHS Consultation
training
22. Convene the first meeting as soon as
practicable
◦ elect a Chairperson
◦ establish arrangements for OHS
Committee meetings
◦ determine frequency of meetings
◦ discuss the purpose of the Committee
◦ review the Code of Practice
23. The initial meeting could also:
◦ clarify the roles and responsibilities of
Committee members
◦ develop an OHS Consultation Statement
if not already established and have it
supported by management
24. PHASE 4: EVALUATION
Periodically review the OHS Committee
and its consultation arrangements in line
with the Code of Practice
25. When managing health and safety
risks, managers need to be aware of and
understand the importance of
communicating with all staff any
applicable processes and procedures that
are required, that are going to ensure
everyone is safe in the workplace, and
that require follow up.
26. There should be an appointment of Health
and Safety Representatives within an
organisation that can also monitor and
report back any findings and act as the
point of liaison between
management, staff, OHS Committee
members and themselves.
27. Having support and buy-in from
employees helps to maintain the
processes and creates an inclusive
working environment where staff
members and team members feel valued
and appreciated.
28. This in turn creates more loyalty towards
keeping everyone safe in the workplace
and assists in achievement of
organisational goals.
29. Team members should be given adequate
responsibility and opportunity to take
ownership for decisions that relate to the
health and safety procedures in the
workplace.
30. This can include decisions that relate to:
Training and development of staff members in safety
matters
Training in use of new equipment and technology
General working conditions
Reporting procedures
General OHS procedures
31. Intellitrain offers courses in
Certificate IV Frontline Management
for Coordinators, Leading
Hand, Supervisors and Team Leaders.
