AUSTRALASIAN MEAT INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES UNION

NEWCASTLE AND NORTHERN BRANCH

JOINT MANAGEMENT/UNION OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSULTATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

Employee involvement at all levels is critical for ensuring that our workplace is safe.

COMMITMENT

 

The Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union Newcastle and Northern Branch (AMIEU), Labour Hire Company, Contractors and the Company are committed to protecting the health and safety of all employees.

 

It is accepted that co-operation and communication is required to ensure a safe working environment.  Communicating with employees about health and safety concerns or suggestions to improve safety performance is integral in managing health and safety.

 

Injury and illness is needless, costly and preventable.

 

The Company will consult all employees in implementing safety practices and systems that will ensure the health, safety and welfare of our employees.

 

 

CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS

The Company and the AMIEU have discussed establishing consultation arrangements with employees.  It was agreed and subsequently endorsed by employees that an O H & S Committee is the most effective means consulting with employees

 

OH&S COMMITTEE

     The O H & S Committee shall consist of employee and employer representatives

 

     Employee representatives shall be elected by the employees

 

     Employee O H & S Committee members shall represent all areas of the workplace inclusive of employees on shiftwork

 

     The company representatives shall include decision makers

 

     The Chairperson of the O H & S Committee shall be elected by the employee representatives on the O H & S Committee

 

     The AMIEU Delegates are O H & S Committee members as part of their role and responsibilities

 

     Meetings will be held no less than once per month

 

     All O H & S Committee members will be provided with time off the job to attend O H & S Committees

 

     An O H & S Committee Charter will be developed  (a model charter is attached as Schedule 1. which may be adopted if agreed)

 

FUNCTIONS AND ROLE OF O H & S COMMITTEE

 

ROLE

The O H & S Committee will assist with the development and monitoring of safe work practices and systems and discuss issues that affect the health, safety and welfare of all employees.  The company will respond to O H & S Committee recommendations within a timeframe agreed by the Committee, set according to the particular issue and its complexity.

 

 

 

FUNCTIONS

           Undertake and review risk assessments

 

     Undertake safety audits

 

     Prioritise urgencies of issues raised and determine who is responsible for following up on a particular issue

 

     Review training programs

 

     Review induction of employees relating to O H & S

 

     Communicate with employees

 

     Be provided with workplace injury/illness incidence including nature of injury/illness

 

     Forward the workplace injury/illness incidence including nature of injury/illness to the Union

 

     Be consulted and be provided with information relating to any workplace change

 

     Appoint a minute taker

 

     Minutes will be processed, distributed to members of the O H & S Committee members to approve and upon approval posted in the workplace and forwarded to the AMIEU within 48 hours

 

     Evaluation of the O H & S Committee’ performance

 

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

a)               If a dispute occurs, all endeavours to resolve the dispute shall occur in the specific work area and shall include employees and Supervisor,

             O H & S Committee member AMIEU Delegate and management.

 

b)               If unresolved disputes will be referred to the O H & S Committee.

 

c)               The O H & Committee shall refer to the legislation and other relevant Code of Practice or Australian Standard to ensure compliance.

 

d)               If unresolved, the matter will be referred to Senior Management and the AMIEU Official

 

e)               If unresolved the matter will be referred to WorkCover

HOW EMPLOYEES WILL BE CONSULTED ABOUT O H & S

 

The following is suggested and is not exhaustive

 

     Tool Box talks

 

     Information sheets arising from O H & S Committee meeting/minutes notice boards

 

     Feedback from employees

 

     Meetings with employees in the area affected

 

     Distribute questionnaire

 

     Workplace meetings

 

TRAINING

 

     The O H & S Committee members must be trained in accordance with the

      O H & S Act by a WorkCover accredited provider

 

     The training will be conducted on a joint basis, that is both employee and employer Committee members are to attend the same training course

 

     The WorkCover accredited training provider will be determined by agreement with the AMIEU

 

     The Chairperson shall receive training in meeting procedures

 

     The O H & S Committee will be provided with WorkCover accredited refresher courses

 

REVIEW OF CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS

 

It has been agreed that these O H & S arrangements will be monitored and reviewed to ensure that consultation with all employees is effective and that all safety issues are being addressed.