Affiliations: CRS Australia, 12 Morrow St., Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650,
Australia. Tel.: +61 2 6921 2644; Fax: +61 2 6921 2555; E-mail:
nadine.milgate@crsrehab.gov.au | School of Occupation & Leisure Sciences, Faculty
of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825,
Australia. Tel.: +61 2 9351 9209; Fax: 61 2 9351 9197; E-mail:
E.Innes@cchs.usyd.edu.au | School of Behavioural and Community Health Sciences,
The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia. Tel.: +61
2 9351 9349; Fax: 61 2 9649 2406; E-mail:K.Oloughlin@cchs.usyd.edu.au
Note: [] Corresponding author
Abstract: The establishment of a health and safety committee in the workplace
and/or the appointment of an elected health and safety representative is
believed to foster employee participation and consultation in the workplace.
Despite an emphasis within the Australian occupational health and safety
legislation towards employee participation in relation to health and safety
issues, there is little known about the effectiveness of the strategies used to
involve workers in health and safety matters in the workplace. There is
anecdotal evidence published in relation to the implementation of health and
safety committees and their effectiveness in the Australian workplace. Few
opinions however are substantiated by empirical evidence. Significantly more
research has been conducted on the role of health and safety representatives in
Australia. This paper presents the findings of a review of the literature and
identifies the factors that are considered to impact on the effectiveness of
workplace health and safety committees and representatives. Several factors are
described as being fundamental to the effective performance of committees and
representatives. These factors include management commitment, communication,
training and information, union involvement, the infrastructure of an
organisation, committee processes and the involvement of professional experts.
It is concluded that the effectiveness of health and safety committees in
Australia is unexplored and it is unknown if these committees achieve the
purpose for which they were established. Recommendations are made for future
research to be conducted to test the current anecdotal evidence and assumptions
associated with the operation and effectiveness of health and safety
committees.
Keywords: employee participation, health and safety committees and representatives, effectiveness, research
