Consultative Structures

The concept of Occupational Health and Safety Committees is based on the management philosophy which recognises that responsibility for safety rests with the creators of risks and those who work with the risks. It emphasises "total involvement of the work force at the actual point where human activity is taking place" (Robens Report,1972).

Terms of reference and membership information,

• HUPP 2.10.1 Guidelines for Workplace Health and Safety Committees 

WHSC's & HSR's

A team of Work Health and Safety Coordinator (WHSC) and Representatives (HSR) facilitate the implementation of UQ's OH&S Policies and Procedures within particular work units, and assist to ensure effective communication and consultation between workers and management. WHSC's are appointed by Management. HSR's are elected by workers.

• List of UQ WHSC's and WHSR's

UQ Occupational Health & Safety Council

The Occupational Health & Safety Council was established by the University Senate in 1984 to ensure that the University's policy on occupational health and safety is implemented throughout all areas of the University's activities. The Occupational Health & Safety Council should meet four times per year in order to carry out its functions. 

• Council Membership
• Agenda & Minutes

Faculty OH&S Committees

The establishment and maintenance of Occupational Health and Safety Committees for all University Faculties, Institutes, Divisions (or equivalent) is required in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act (2011). These Occupational Health and Safety Committees fulfill both statutory and organisational requirements for the management of occupational health and safety matters.

The basic philosophy underlying participatory Occupational Health & Safety Committees at the University is that staff should be actually involved in hazard assessment, the setting of safety standards, and policy formulation. The OH&S committees require balanced representation between management and workers to ensure that the latter can genuinely influence these processes. Senior management representation is paramount to ensure that decisions regarding resource allocation for Occupational Health & Safety issues can be made at the Committee level.

• OH&S Committee Membership

To ensure consistency in reporting and documentation, please use the templates specifically formated for use at the University of Queensland:

• Agenda & Minute Templates
• Post-meeting Action Template 
• Instructions for the use of UQ Templates

School and Organisational Unit OH&S Committees 

The formation of Occupational Health & Safety Committees should be considered in Schools and Organisational Units where: 

• existing School or Organisational Unit Occupational Health & Safety Committees are functional;
• the physical location of the School or Organisational Unit is remote from the larger Faculty Occupational Health & Safety Committee;
• the coordinated management of risk is required by a working group at the School or Organisational Unit level;
• the Faculty Occupational Health & Safety Committee assesses the requirement for a School or Organisational Unit Occupational Health & Safety Committee.

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