Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00408:body:0:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00408
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 18518–21440

you.
You should make available all the information that you have relating to the health and safety matter to enable informed and constructive discussions. This information may include:
    * health and safety policies and procedures
    * technical guidance about hazards, risks and risk control measures
    * hazard reports and risk assessments
    * proposed changes to the workplace, systems of work, plant or substances
    * data on incidents, illnesses or injuries (in a way that protects the confidentiality of personal information).
The information should be presented in a way that can be easily understood by your workers and take into account literacy needs and the cultural or linguistically diverse backgrounds of your workers.
Young workers and those with limited English may be less likely to question health and safety practices or speak up if they are unsure. They may find it easier to communicate through a health and safety representative, an interpreter or worker representative. Information should also be simplified and presented in different ways, such as using diagrams, to make it easier to understand.
Meeting face-to-face is usually the most effective way of communicating, although that may not always be possible or preferable. Information can also be shared in other ways, including:
    * by telephone or email
    * featuring current health and safety news and information on intranet sites or noticeboards.
Information should be updated and attention drawn to new material so that people who do not regularly check it will know what is happening in their workplace.

3.2        Providing reasonable opportunities to express views and contribute
Giving your workers a reasonable opportunity to express their views and contribute to health and safety decisions may involve:
    * providing a suitable time during work hours for consultation with workers
    * allowing opinions about health and safety to be regularly discussed and considered during workplace meetings
    * providing workers with different ways to provide feedback, for example using email, setting up an intranet health and safety page or a suggestion box.
How long the consultation process takes will depend on the complexity of the health and safety matter, how many people are being consulted, the accessibility of workers and the methods of consultation. A simple issue affecting only a small number of workers can probably be dealt with
in a few hours or days through regular channels of communication. A complex technical matter,
or consulting a large workforce, may require more time.
If there are health and safety representatives for the workplace, you must include them in the discussions, with or without the involvement of workers directly.

3.3        Taking views into account
You must take the views of your workers and health and safety representatives into account before making a decision. Consultation