Health and Safety Management

1
Health and Safety Management

• Safety Representatives
• Safety Officers
• And Safety Committees

2
Members and Meetings

• Meetings discuss workers concerns
• Possible solutions
• Approaches to management negotiations
• Ongoing concerns and progress reports to union

• All work areas should be represented
• Members should be interested,concerned and
  willing to learn more about hs
• Willing to meet once a month and to communicate
  with workers

3
Joint labour-management hs 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 hs 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
Employers 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.