OH&S CONSULTATION PROCESS Subject Number OHSS406 BSBOHS402B Presenter: Jamie Muench 5 May 2010

1. OH&S CONSULTATION PROCESS Subject Number OHSS406 BSBOHS402B Presenter: Jamie Muench 5 May 2010

2. ELEMENT 1 Identify strategies and tools for individuals or groups to raise OH&S issues or request information and data etc. 1. Matters can be raised through the Health & Safety Representatives (HSRs) and safety committee members 2. Notice boards can be used. 3. Peer group meetings 4. Consultative meetings Implement and communicate to stakeholders and interested parties procedures for individuals and groups to raise OH&S issues or request information and data. 1. Team and contractor, employee meetings 2. Provide hard copies of the Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice and other associated documents. 3. Provide computers so that access to OH&S information is current and contemporary. 4. Hold consultative meetings with various parties. 5. Have the arrangements placed in contracts and scopes of work. 6. Carry out surveys and audits.

3. ELEMENT 1 – Cont’d Identify barriers to individuals or groups seeking OH&S information and data or raising issues 1. Language barriers ( Place OH&S signage in various languages) 2. Provide information by using interpreters 3. No hard copies of the various OH&S information are readily available (provide hard or electronic  copies) 4. Create Designated Work Groups (DWGs) and elect HSRs for each of the groups 5. Provide and allow access to supervisors/managers to facilitate OH&S consultation in the work place. 6. Other barriers may include, but not be limited to, financial restraint, appropriately trained persons, inadequate supervision, no process or inspections carried out to identify OH&S issues. 7. Educational Barriers – Provide appropriate direction to courses and or job relevant training. Make recommendations to address any identified barriers Communicate OH&S findings and recommended close outs of identified issues through the mechanisms set in place at the workplace such as committee meetings, management processes, peer group meetings, etc.

4. BODGEY WORK PRACTICES – OH&S data that may assist these workers?

5. ELEMENT 2 • The ACT Work Safety Act 2008 Division 4.1 requires the employer to consult and to establish worker consultation units. OH&S Information and legislative data can be provided through a number of mechanisms including but not limited to: • The use of hard copy information available at the place of work (codes of practice, Australian Standards,Acts & Regulations ) • Information boards placed at the workplace • Safety committee meetings • Contractor meetings • Guest speakers • Check lists • Audits • Inspections • Worker consultation units • Barriers may  include financial considerations, employees who do not have English as a first language, lack of or no training for employees. • Provide electronic access to the various legislative requirements, codes etc • First aid incident and injury reports • All of the above are tools to assist with the identification, monitoring and evaluation of any system failure or  barriers to groups or individuals. These same tools can be used to provide comment back to Employers and other Seniors managers. • Hold regular forums with the involved parties to evaluate the effectiveness of the recommended changes to remove barriers to the target groups in regard to OH&S data.

6. ELEMENT 3 Timely and appropriate OH&S information, data and advice can be provided through a number of forums - some of those were mentioned in the previous element. This will assist with decision making processes and allow for changes to the workplace and systems of work that may affect workers, and other stakeholders. Establishing a consultative and collaborative arrangement with various work groups or individuals will allow and  resolve safety related issues. Carrying out investigations into workplace related incidents is another tool to identify trending that will assist with both cultural, industrial and environmental  matters. Unfortunately investigations are normally carried out after a dangerous occurrence or some other form of incident (post incident). Contemporary OH&S information and data can be sourced from a number of organisations or agencies to assist management and workers in implementing best practice. Most large companies will be AS/NZS 4801 Accredited (OH&S & Safety Management Systems ) This standard talks about continual improvement, OH&S Policy, Planning, Implementation, Measurement and evaluation and Management review.

7. ELEMENT 4 To provide support on OH&S consultative arrangements will require the sharing of information and giving the workers reasonable opportunity to contribute information and express their views about OH&S matters. If the workers are represented by a Work Safety Representative then consulting the Representative may be pivotal in assisting with a resolution to the OH&S issue. This may also require consultation with members of the Work Safety Committee. The monitoring and effectiveness of maintaining OH&S arrangements may require some form of dispute resolution. OH&S consultative processes will be implemented in accordance with company practices and legislative requirements.

8. 3 2 EXAMPLE AUDIT TOOL USED TO ESTABLISH THE COMPANY’S GLOBAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (Page 1 of 10 of the Audit Tool)

10. A TOOL FOR INDIVIDUALS TO RAISE OH&S ISSUES This document has been generated as a guide to aid with the preparation of records of Training and Consultation. A toolbox meeting form will be used to assist in hazard identification, the development of OH&S controls in the workplace and provide consultation with all relevant people.

11. A TOOL FOR INDIVIDUALS TO RAISE OH&S ISSUES (cont’d)

12. During the course of this toolbox meeting, full consultation is required