Australia Model Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination 4.3b: 4.3 Establish a health and safety committee when requested and run it effectively

A PCBU must establish a health and safety committee within two months of a request by five or more workers or by a health and safety representative, and may establish one on its own initiative. Representatives may be members but need not be, and at least half the members must be workers not nominated by management. The committee must meet at least once every three months and at any reasonable time at the request of at least half its members. Membership is agreed with the workers represented and, failing agreement, an inspector may decide the make-up or whether it is established. The committee is the forum for consultation across the whole workforce, including development and review of WHS policies and procedures, while representatives deal with the issues of their own work group. Its membership, functions and operation are set in a constitution, with an agreed agenda circulated ahead and minutes recording discussion, decisions and actions circulated soon after.