Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, all employers are required to consult their staff, contractors, health and safety representative (including volunteers) on matters that directly affect or are likely to directly affect the health and safety of staff in the workplace.
Consultation must involve:
f sharing information with staff, contractors (including volunteers) on matters that directly affect or are likely to directly affect the health and safety of staff in the workplace,
f Allowing participants opportunity to express their views and taking these views into account.
Effective consultation will lead to decisions about WHS issues in the workplace and how to deal with these issues. It fosters stronger commitment to decisions because everyone is involved in the process, opens communication and creates trust amongst those who are involved.
Consultation may be required in any of the following possible settings:
f during the risk analysis process (when identifying hazards and risks and deciding how to control risks),
f when making decisions regarding facilities (e.g. renovations, maintenance) f during development of WHS policies and procedures, and
f when changes are proposed to the workplace.