WHS consultative activities

Posted by SkillMaker in Nov, 2014

What are WHS consultative activities?

WHS consultative activities are important activities that are a part of promotion of workplace health and safety. This is in pursuant to Part 5 of the WHS Act 2011 (the Act) requires PCBUs to consult with workers about WHS matters in workplace health or safety.

What is the purpose of conducting WHS consultative activities?

Identifying hazards, assessing risks and making decisions about eliminating or minimizing those risks
Making decisions about the adequacy of facilities for workers welfare
When changes are proposed that may affect the health or safety of workers.
When making decisions about procedures for;

– Consultation with workers,

– Resolving WHS issues,

– Monitoring workers’ health,

– Monitoring workplace conditions,

– Providing information and training to workers and

– Where the regulations prescribe.

– The formation of work groups

WHS consultative activities help identify possible workplace hazards, assess the risks of employees and eliminates risks. Decisions are made according to the adequacy of the facilities to provide safety and health to workers. WHS consultative activities are also important in making decisions regarding procedures for worker consultations, the resolution of WHS issues, monitoring workers’ health and workplace conditions, providing training information and the formation of work groups.

What are the different types of WHS consultative activities?

The options for WHS consultation or the types of WHS consultative activities include the following:

Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) – HSRs are an elected representative selected by a work group to represent them in resolving specific WHS matters for their workgroup. They have a wide range of functions and with the appropriate training, they are able to issue improvement notices and cease work where it is unsafe to continue.

Health and Safety Committees (HSCs) – are a group of workers and managers who meet to develop and review WHS policies and procedures for a work group. It is created at the request of a HSR or where 5 or more members of the work group request it. The HSR may choose to be a member of the HSC.

Other agreed arrangements – A work group may choose to have other arrangements for consultation agreed between the work group and the PCBU. These are often more direct methods of consultation.
Workers are given a chance to express their views, raise issues and contribute to decision making processes on WHS matters,
The views of workers are accounted
Workers are advised of the outcomes of consultation
Workers may be represented by their union. If workers are represented by an HSR, consultation must involve that HSR

What are the components or elements of WHS consultative activities?

The key components of WHS consultative activities are the following
• Sharing of relevant information about WHS matters with workers,

What terms are used when conducting WHS consultative activities?

There are a few terms used in conducting WHS consultative activities and these are used extensively in almost all industries, businesses, schools and organisations.

What is a HSR?

HSRs are an elected representative selected by a work group to represent them in resolving specific WHS matters for their workgroup. They have a wide range of functions and with the appropriate training, they are able to issue improvement notices and cease work where it is unsafe to continue.

What is a HSC?

HSC is a group of workers and managers who meet to develop and review WHS policies and procedures for a work group. It is created at the request of a HSR or where 5 or more members of the work group request it. The HSR may choose to be a member of the HSC.

The PCBU is important to consult with workers who work for the business or undertaking or those that are likely to be directly affected by a work health or safety matter. Workers that are included are contractors, sub-contractors, labour-hire and volunteers.

Other agreed arrangements – A work group may choose to have other arrangements for consultation agreed between the work group and the PCBU. These are often more direct methods of consultation.