3.2 Consultation
Consultation is an important risk management strategy, as it involves the sharing of information and the exchange of views between employers, workers and their representatives.
Workers should be included in the process of identifying, assessing and controlling risks, as they know the difficulties in performing particular tasks and may be able to suggest ways to improve work practices, including recommendations for training. It is recommended that workplace health and safety officers, representatives and committees also be included in the consultation process.
Consultation can take the form of informal on-the-job interaction during a walk-through of the workplace. However, it is also desirable to put a formal structure in place to address issues at regular workplace health and safety committee or staff meetings. This ensures issues are addressed at an early stage and in a formal manner.
3.2.1 Consultation and the risk management process
Consult workers and workplace health and safety representatives routinely at all stages of the risk management process, including when:
- new work processes, equipment or tools are being designed, purchased or modified (consult early to allow changes to be incorporated);
- identifying problem jobs which require assessment;
- establishing priorities for the assessment of problem jobs and during the risk assessment process;
- deciding on control strategies to reduce exposure to risk factors;
- reviewing the effectiveness of implemented control measures and identifying whether further risks of injury have been created by the chosen controls; and
- deciding the contents of procedural documents, as experienced workers can help make sure they are as relevant as possible to the actual work situation.
Last updated 21 August 2008