Putting you first at the centre of what we do. Keeping you healthy and safe at work. Supporting you when you are harmed at work. Ensuring your scheme works and is sustainable.
Outcomes from the HSMAs workshop
The following information has been collated from the Comcare Customer Seminars held throughout May and June 2007.
Delegates that attended the Health and Safety Management Arrangements (HSMAs) workshop provided the following suggestions:
1. What could HSMAs include?
Heath and Safety Committees:
- establishment of sub-committees
- guidance on OHS committees
- OHS Committee arrangements for multi site organisations
- OHS committees (process for makeup of)
- OHS committees (terms of reference for), and / or
- allocate responsibilities to committee for specific concepts eg compliance.
Commitment statement:
- commitment statement by those individuals involved in OHS eg HSR
- develop accountability & responsibilities for managers team leaders and staff
- fostering an OHS culture
- commitment to funding and resources via budget
- incentive e.g. fire warden allowance
- incentive for HSR to communicate effectively
- vision for organisation
- agreement with CPSU, and / or
- commitment to current OHS activities.
communication / escalation process for issues:
- consultation process
- crossover of first aid / OHS officer and consultation between each other
- annual meetings for first aid / OHS / harassment officer/ building management
- clear guidelines on how to address OHS matters (including level of organisation)
- dedicated email box
- feedback tools (both ways)
- HSMA webpage on intranet
- incorporate in employer handbook
- information flow
- intranet / PC messages - regular communication
- methods of communication
- visible information in the workplace
- policies / processes for adequately informing employees
- stakeholders (link to)
- clear guidelines on how to address OHS matters (including level of organisation)
- management support
- regular forums between HSR and management
- site forums - involve HSR and union
- dispute resolution processes (including using mediation) note: already a requirement of legislation
- employee assistance program (provision of), and / or
- harassment liaison.
2. Possible methods of consultation
Providing information:
- staff bulletins
- subject matter experts
- road shows
- summaries for mgt to discuss with staff
- noticeboards
- mail-out (people away from office)
- union bulletins
- aerial drops
- awareness program
- visible information
- brief managers
- centralised communication
- discussion paper
- FAQs
- hardcopy for remote areas
- staff survey / questionnaire
- sufficient time to consider
- matrixes
- research what methods are used elsewhere, and / or
- use established consultative arrangements.
Meetings (face to face):
- branch meetings
- consultative committee (establish one)
- employees representatives
- focus groups
- HSC involvement
- HSR groups
- information sessions / meetings
- joint working party (management and employees)
- local consultative forums
- participative consultation
- site consultation
- site representatives involved
- team discussions / meetings
- toolbox talks
- union agreement / representatives consulted
- workshop
- staff forums
- management cascading
- management commitment to consultation
- HR section to direct info sessions, and / or
- department representatives.
Electronic:
- CEO video
- daily bulletin
- dedicated online OHS Assistant
- dedicated site mailbox
- electronic newsletter
- email individuals / groups
- national feedback line
- phone hook-ups
- pop ups on computer
- screen savers
- video conferencing
- intranet / internet (HSMA information prominent)
- link to Comcare website, and / or
- electronic learning packages.
Promotional material (booklets):
- posters
- flyers / information sheets
- in-house magazine
- newsletters
- competitions, and / or
- suggestion boxes.