Health and Safety Management

1. Health and Safety Management Safety Representatives Safety Officers And Safety Committees

2. 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 Members and Meetings

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.