Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00408:body:0:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00408
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 15828–18790

on work health and safety
    * monitoring workers' health and workplace conditions
    * providing information and training.
Procedures should be in writing to provide clarity and certainty at the workplace and assist in demonstrating compliance. They should clearly set out the role of health and safety representatives, and any other parties involved in the activity. The procedures should be easily accessible, for example by placing them on noticeboards and intranet sites.
If issue resolution procedures are agreed to, the WHS Regulations include minimum requirements including that these procedures are set out in writing and communicated to all workers to whom the procedure applies.

     3.             WHAT IS EFFECTIVE CONSULTATIOn?

Consultation is a two-way process between you and your workers where you:

    * talk to each other about health and safety matters
    * listen to their concerns and raise your concerns
    * seek and share views and information, and
    * consider what your workers say before you make decisions.

Section 48: Consultation requires that:

    * relevant work health and safety information is shared with workers
    * workers are given a reasonable opportunity to express their views and to raise health or safety issues
    * workers are given a reasonable opportunity to contribute to the decision-making process relating to the health and safety matter
    * the views of workers are taken into account, and
    * workers are advised of the outcome of any consultation in a timely manner.

Management commitment and open communication between managers and workers is important in achieving effective consultation. Your workers are more likely to engage in consultation when their knowledge and ideas are actively sought and any concerns about health and safety are taken seriously.

Consultation does not mean telling your workers about a health and safety decision or action after it has been taken. Workers should be encouraged to:

    * ask questions about health and safety
    * raise concerns and report problems
    * make safety recommendations
    * be part of the problem solving process.
While consultation may not result in agreement, this should be the objective as it will make it more likely that the decisions are effective and will be actively supported.

3.1        Sharing information
You must share relevant information with workers and their health and safety representatives about matters that may affect their health and safety. This information should be provided early on so that workers and health and safety representatives have enough time to consider the matters, discuss them and then provide feedback to 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,