Workplace consultation
The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (PDF, 766 KB) encourages Queensland workplaces and work practices to be healthier and safer for everyone – workers and the community.
It actively seeks industry participation by involving employers and workers and having them represented in the decision-making and advisory processes through:
- Workplace Health and Safety Board
- Industry sector standing committees
- Workplace health and safety officers
- Workplace health and safety committees
- Workplace health and safety representatives
Workplace Health and Safety Board
The Workplace Health and Safety Board, established under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (PDF, 766 KB), is a key link between industry and government.
The Board provides advice and makes recommendations to the Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations about policies, strategies, allocation of resources and legislative arrangements for workplace health and safety.
Its role includes:
- developing a five-year strategic plan to improve health and safety in Queensland workplaces, with an eye to both existing and future needs of industry and the community
- ensuring adequate industry consultation in the development of proposed codes of conduct
- advising the Minister on state, national and international workplace health and safety issues
- promoting workplace health and safety to industry and the community to encourage a healthy, safe workplace culture.
Board members represent employers and workers and have practical experience and competence in the management of workplace health and safety.
Industry sector standing committees
Industry sector standing committees provide the Workplace Health and Safety Board with industry-specific advice on workplace health and safety issues.
There are six industry sector standing committees, representing:
- construction
- manufacturing
- rural
- health and community services
- retail and wholesale
- transport and storage.
Other industry sector standing committees may be established, as needed.
Members of industry sector standing committees represent employers and workers and have practical experience and competence in the management of workplace health and safety.
Workplace health and safety officers
Employers and principal contractors with 30 or more workers normally employed at a workplace must appoint a workplace health and safety officer.
Example:
- An employer, who employs five workers on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at a workplace but employs 30 workers in three shifts of ten on Mondays and Fridays, needs a workplace health and safety officer.
- At a construction workplace, the principal contractor must appoint a workplace health and safety officer if:
- 30 or more people work at the workplace during any 24 hour period; or
- the principal contractor built at least 30 domestic premises during the previous financial year.
Employers with fewer workers are encouraged to appoint a workplace health and safety officer for the wellbeing of their employees.
Workplace health and safety officers are specially trained. Their duties include:
- advising the employer or principal contractor of the overall state of health and safety of the workplace
- inspecting the workplace for hazards and unsafe or unsatisfactory work practices or conditions
- educating workers about workplace health and safety
- investigating workplace incidents
- supporting inspectors in their duties.
For more information on the requirements of workplace health and safety officers refer to Part 8 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (PDF, 766 KB).
Workplace health and safety committees
Workplace health and safety committees foster a cooperative spirit in a workplace, encouraging the employer and workers to work together for a healthier, safer workplace.
Their role includes:
- encouraging and maintaining an active interest in workplace health and safety
- considering training and education needs to address workplace health and safety issues
- keeping workers up-to-date with new standards, rules and procedures
- reviewing the circumstances surrounding workplace incidents
- helping resolve issues about workplace health and safety
- providing the employer with advice on how to address workplace health and safety issues.
Workplace health and safety representatives
Workplace health and safety representatives are elected by their co-workers to represent them on workplace health and safety issues.
The workplace health and safety representatives can carry out inspections and review the circumstances of workplace incidents.
They can participate in the workplace health and safety committee.
Workplace health and safety representatives do not need any experience or special qualification but are entitled to paid training, if requested.
Last updated 22 July 2008