WorkCover - New South Wales

An OHS Committee is established when:

• the employer has 20 or more employees and the majority of employees request that an OHS committee be established; or
• WorkCover directs the establishment of an OHS committee; or
• the employer, in consultation with employees, establishes an OHS committee.

The following steps provide general guidance for employers and employees on how to set up an OHS committee.

Lay the groundwork:

• become familiar with OHS legislative requirements
• consider whether an OHS committee is the most appropriate consultation arrangement for health and safety matters in your workplace;
• determine the composition of the workgroup the OHS committee will represent;
• consult with management and employees to detail the OHS committee's purpose, start date and management's role in supporting the committee.

Determine OHS committee membership:

• consult about the number of employer and employee representatives (employer reps must not exceed the number of employee reps);
• consider inviting sub-contractors and their employees to observe meetings;
• consider inviting union or reps of employer associations to observe or address meetings;
• ensure employees are aware what is involved in being an OHS committee member and the training required ;
• appoint employer reps. Ensure they are able to act on behalf of the employer;
• decide on the election process for employee reps including arrangements for absence, removal and casual vacancies
• conduct election for employee reps;
• inform all employees and management of the names of OHS committee members;
• ensure OHS Committee members have a copy of the OHS Consultation Code of Practice and other relevant materials eg OHS policy/procedures.

Form the committee:

• conduct elections
• conduct OHS consultation training
• convene the first OHS Committee meeting as soon as possible. The first meeting should elect the chairperson, decide on the frequency and procedures of meetings, review the Consultation Code of Practice and discuss the purpose of the committee.

Conduct periodic evaluation of the committee's effectiveness:

Details of a Sample Election Procedure can be found in Schedule 6 of the OHS Consultation Code of Practice.

Section 6 of the OHS Consultation Code of Practice provides a comprehensive guide on how to set up an OHS committee.

For further information contact WorkCover's OHS Education Unit on (02) 9841 8512.