Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
to their health and safety at work, in particular with
regard to:
management and the representatives concerned. This
should be aimed at keeping the total size as compact
as possible but with adequate representation of the
interests of management and employees.
To this end it may be necessary in large workplaces
to appoint subcommittees who will discuss areas of
common concern and then nominate one spokesperson
to represent them all at the main committee level. As a
general rule a large safety committee not only has longer
meetings but it is less effective than a smaller committee.
For a safety committee to operate effectively it is
necessary to determine its objectives and functions.
To succeed, both management and employees have to
demonstrate a commitment and positive approach to a
programme of accident prevention and the establishment
of a safe and healthy environment and safe systems
of work.
(a) The introduction of any measure which may affect
employee health and safety
(b) The arrangements for appointing health and safety
assistance and procedures for serious and imminent
danger and for danger areas
(c) Any health and safety information which may be
required under any legislation
(d) Planning and organisation of any training in connec-
tion with health and safety
(e) The health and safety consequence of any new
legislation.
Employer's duty to provide information
Employees or representatives should be given enough
information to allow them to take a full and effective part
in consultation.
Employers do not have to provide information if it:
3.5.1 Objectives
The primary objectives of a health and safety committee
should be:
➤
Is contrary to national security or unlawful
➤
Concerns individuals who have not consented to
information being divulged
➤
The promotion of health, safety and welfare at work
by the provision of a forum for discussion and
➤
Would harm the business, unless this coincides with
effects on health and safety or
➤
The promotion and support of normal employee/
employer systems for the reporting and control of
safety issues.
➤
Involves
information
connected
with
legal
proceedings.
Typically terms of reference for a
safety committee
may
include:
Functions of Representatives of Employee Safety
(ROES)
ROES have the following functions, similarly to their
union counterparts:
➤
Examining the safety adviser's report and other
reports on the agenda with a view to recommending
actions and assessing priorities
➤
To make representations to the employer on haz-
ards, risks and dangerous occurrences in the work-
place which affect, or could affect, the group of
employees they represent
➤
To make representations to the employer on gen-
eral matters affecting the group of employees they
represent and, in particular, any such matters the
employer consults them about
➤
Monitoring the effectiveness of health, safety, fi re
and welfare communication and publicity
➤
To develop, progress and assist in the implementa-
tion of health at work initiatives
➤
Monitor, evaluate and assist in the development of
the organization's safety-related policies and opera-
tional procedures
➤
To review accidents, incidents, collect statistics, ana-
lyse trends on occupational health and study reports
on health, safety and fi re safety issues
➤
To represent the group of employees in any discus-
sion with health and safety inspectors.
➤
To review new, existing and recurring issues revealed
by safety audits
3.5
Safety committees
➤
Report to individual senior managers or an organisa-
tion's senior management team on matters concern-
ing safety at work
When two or more union appointed safety representa-
tives request, in writing, the formation of a safety com-
mittee, the employer must establish such a committee
within three months.
The membership and structure of the safety
committee is determined by consultation between the
➤
To monitor safety training programmes and stand-
ards achieved
➤
To act as a consultative forum on workplace meas-
ures which may affect health, safety and welfare of
employees
