Executive/Senior Manager - Consultation and communication
Further information
A healthy and safe workplace is more easily achieved when workers at all levels within the business talk to each other about potential problems and work together to find solutions.
From their knowledge of the workplace and work practices, workers can provide valuable input on work hazards. Consultation on health and safety matters between the PCBU, senior and middle managers and workers can result in
- healthier and safer workplaces
- better decisions on health and safety matters
- a stronger commitment by everyone to implementing decisions
- greater cooperation and trust between managers and workers.
What is consultation?
Consultation is a two-way exchange of information. It should be seen as an opportunity to add value to the decision-making processes.
Consultation means to appropriately inform workers, inviting and considering their response prior to a decision being made. Worker opinions should not be assumed. Sufficient action must be taken to secure workers’ responses and give their views proper attention. Consultation requires more than a mere exchange of information. Workers must be able to contribute to the decision-making process, not only in appearance but in fact.
When is consultation required?
Consultation is required when:
- identifying hazards and assessing risks arising from work
- making decisions about ways to eliminate or minimise those risks
- making decisions about the adequacy of facilities for the welfare of workers
- proposing changes that may affect the health or safety of workers
- making decisions about the procedures for resolving health or safety issues
- monitoring the health of workers or workplace conditions, information and training or consultation with workers
- and when carrying out any other activity prescribed by the WHS Regulations.
The Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) has adopted a working definition of what constitutes consultation from the Australian Industrial Relations Commission case, Australian Workers’ Union v Campbell Mushrooms Pty Ltd 1183/96 Print N4825 (1996).