Workplace consultation involves developing and implementing effective consultation mechanisms, which encourage cooperation, engagement of workers and management across the workplace. Discussion between management and workers on workplace health and safety (WHS) related issues are aimed at exchanging views and considering opinions. Reaching a consensus serves to foster collaboration, involvement and cooperation.
There are significant advantages for implementing a culture of consultation in the workplace. Businesses working to best practice recognise the benefits of regularly seeking opinions and views from workers, whether that be through consultation with individuals, groups, unions, or a mixture of all three.
The WorkSafe Victoria medium segment strategy encourages medium businesses to integrate safety into their business management systems, to ensure they practice prevention rather than reaction, and gain commitment from owners/directors to the process.
Often these owners and directors are just simply unaware that systematic prevention based health and safety management and promotion leads to reduced WorkCover premiums and other cost reductions.
However, many people feel that current models of safety management systems are far too complex for the medium segment; they want the cost reductions, but not the complexity that comes with it. This is why the “Seven Pillars of Safety” has been developed.
The fifth pillar is “Consultation”. Regular inclusive discussion with relevant staff on workplace health and safety and return to work improvements results in a workplace safety system, which is owned and committed to by all employees.
General advice warning
The information on this site is of a general nature only. It does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. You should look at your own situation and requirements before making any decisions. Please contact our Occupational Health and Safety Consultants for further information.
