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Consultation and Communication
> Your obligations
> OHS Committee
> OHS Representative/s
> Other agreed arrangements
> Templates & References
Your obligations
Employers are required to consult with employees on matters effecting their health, safety and welfare at work.
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Feedback from clients may identify OHS issues. Ensure that your consultation strategy considers this feedback. |
The Aged Care Act 1997 also requires Aged Care Facilities to "consult" with residents regarding all aspects of the day-to-day running of the organisation in which they reside. Resident meetings and improvement requests can provide valuable input. |
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 requires that a consultation mechanism be established. This can be:
- An elected OHS Committee,
- Elected OHS Representative/s, or
- Another agreed arrangement.
OHS Committee
If your organisation has 20 or more employees (or full-time equivalents) AND the majority of staff have requested an OHS Committee, you MUST establish one.
An OHS Committee should contain both employee and employer representatives, including a senior management representative for decision making purposes.
The Committee has a 2-way communication role – providing advice to management and feedback to employees.
All members are required to attend the 4 day WorkCover accredited OHS Consultation course.
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Display photographs of the OHS Committee / safety reps in the workplace. |
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OHS Representative/s
If at least one employee requests an OHS Representative, you must organise an election for one.
The OHS Representative will meet with senior management on regular occasions to communicate OHS issues. S/he will also report on these meetings to other employees.
Any elected OHS Representative/s is/are also required to attend the 4 day WorkCover accredited OHS Consultation course.
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Other agreed arrangements
You are allowed to choose another arrangement which best suits your organisation. This could include utilising existing groups such as Employee Consultative Groups and including OHS as a regular agenda item.
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Ensure your consultation strategy allows field workers to be consulted. Consider having regular meetings with field workers where OHS issues are discussed. |
Other methods of consulting staff include, staff surveys, payslip messages, newsletters, regular meetings and training days. |
Aged care facilities may combine their quality improvement committee with their OHS committee if agreed by staff. |
Templates & References
OHS Regulation 2001 - Chapter 3 Workplace Consultation
WorkCover NSW: Code of Practice: OHS Consultation (PDF)
Commonwealth of Australia 2001 "The Guide": Implementing Occupational Health & Safety in Residential Aged Care - Module 1, Pages 29-39 (includes samples of Team Meeting agendas and Health & Safety Committee Meeting agendas)