Cooperation with the workforce

It is important to gain the cooperation of all employees if a successful health and safety culture is to become established. This cooperation is best achieved by consultation. The easiest and potentially the most effective method of consultation is the health and safety committee. It will realize its full potential if its recommendations are seen to be implemented and both management and employee concerns are freely discussed. It will not be so successful if it is seen as a talking shop. 

The committee should have stated objectives, which mirror the objectives in the organization s health and safety policy statement, and its own terms of reference. Terms of reference could include the following  

There are no fixed rules on the composition of the health and safety committee except that it should be 

There are two pieces of legislation that cover health and safety consultation with employees and both are summarized in Chapter 20. 

These regulations only apply to those organizations that have recognized trade unions for collective bargaining purposes. The recognized trade union may appoint safety representatives from among the employees and notify the employer in writing. 

---