Health & Safety > Health and Safety Committee
Authorised by Chief Executive Officer
Issue Date 4 August 2016
Purpose
Kyeema Support Services Inc. (Kyeema) acknowledges successful management of health and safety in the work place relies on commitment, consultation and co-operation. Everyone in the workplace needs to understand the need for health and safety, what their role is in making the workplace safer, and how they can fulfil their responsibilities and duties.
This procedure outlines the function, role and composition of the Health and Safety Committee.
Procedure
Kyeema Support Services Inc. will maintain a Health and Safety Committee in accordance with the consultation arrangements.
Functions of the Committee
The Health and Safety Committee’s function is to:
•Facilitate cooperation between Kyeema Support Services Inc. and its employees in instigating, developing and carrying out measures designed to ensure the health and safety at work of employees.
•Formulate, review and disseminate (including in accessible format such as easy read. policies and procedures relating to health and safety.
•The committee will not override the direct lines of communication between management, staff or health and safety representatives.
•The Committee will deal with health and safety issues which affect the whole organisation. Designated work groups may be established to work on specific projects.
Membership
Membership will comprise management, and Kyeema participants representative, employees, with at least half the membership being employees.
Representatives are from the following areas:
•Employment services
•Lalor Street Day Programs
•Kyeema Respite & Independent Living Programs
•Kyeema Chief Executive Officer
Appointment of Chairperson
The chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer.
Nominations
The Chief Executive Officer shall nominate the management representatives on the Committee. A meeting of all Employee Health and Safety Representatives shall determine the employee representatives on the Committee.
Tenure
Membership of the Health and Safety Committee shall be for a period of 2 years. Committee members may be re-nominated.
Role of Members
Chairperson
•Schedule meetings and inform members
•Prepare agenda and other documentation relevant to each meeting
•Invite any advisers, presenters, etc
•Guide the meeting through the agenda
•Ensure all have an opportunity to speak
•Ensure the committee stays within its charter
•Review and approve minutes of meetings
Deputy Chairperson
•In the absence of the Chairperson any other meeting attendee may perform this day.
Secretary
•Keep committee records
•Report on the status of recommendations
•Prepare the minutes and distribute minutes
•Assist chairperson as required
Deputy Secretary
•Would be an administration worker
Committee Member
•Perform functions as required by the committee.
Meeting Frequency & Quorum
•The OH&S committee will meet bi-monthly to discuss workplace safety issues. At least half of its members must be present from both management and employees to form a quorum.
•The Committee will share information on initiatives undertaken in each service area.
•The committee will explore innovative solutions to OHS matters that maybe outside of the resources of any one service area.
•The committee will have a broad role in health and safety planning, developing policy and procedure/coordinating training.
•All meetings will be minuted and items actioned.
•The minutes may be tabled for discussion at the Kyeema Support Services Board of Management, Sub Committee meetings, Management Team Meeting and any other relevant meetings as required.
Agenda
•A meeting agenda will be prepared and sent to members no later than 1 week prior to the meeting.
•It will list the matters to be discussed, who is required to attend, time, date and location of the meeting and have attached any documents to be reviewed prior to the meeting.
Action Items
•Any recommendation arising from the committee shall be made by consensus of members. Action items are the responsibility of Kyeema’s executive management team, who received a copy of the minutes
Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes of each meeting will be taken and distributed to all members and to each area within 2 weeks of the meeting.
The CEO or delegate shall arrange for the minutes to be recorded and distributed.
The minutes will include the following details:
•organisational and committee name,
•meeting time,
•date and location of meeting,
•members present and absent,
•items discussed,
•what action is to be taken by what date and by whom.
Related Policies, Procedures and Documents:
OHS Representative Nomination Form SF-39