Health and safety committees

Health and safety committees (HSCs) provide a way for managers and workers to meet regularly and discuss workplace occupational health and safety (OHS) issues. They should focus on issues that influence the entire organisation.

Committees have six main roles:

1. To encourage co-operation between management and employees in initiating, developing, carrying out and monitoring health and safety in the workplace.
2. To assist in resolving health and safety issues in the workplace.
3. To assist in the development and review of health and safety policies, practices and procedures in the workplace.
4. To consult on appropriate policies, practices and procedures, and any proposed changes to the workplace or process.
5. To review developments in rehabilitation and the employment of workers who have some form of disability.
6. To assist in the return to work of employees who have suffered a work injury.

At least half of the members of the HSC must be non-managerial employees. A committee will not operate effectively without equal representation from employees and management.

Members of the committee can serve a term of three years and must meet at least once every three months.