Composition of Workgroup / OHS Consultation / Occupational Health and Safety / University Services / The University of Newcastle, Australia

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COMPOSITION OF WORKGROUP

Under the OHS legislation an OHS Committee or an OHS Representative represent a defined "workgroup" of employees.

What is a workgroup?
How are workgroups formed?
How must workgroups be formed?
What size should a workgroup be?
What factors should be considered when deciding on workgroups?
What if there is more than two workgroups?
What about contractors and labour-hire personnel?

What is a workgroup?

A group of employees that is represented by a particular OHS Committee or OHS Representative.

How are workgroups formed?

Through consultation and agreement between the University and its employees after considering all of the relevant factors influencing the workgroup.

How must workgroups be formed?

In a manner that ensures that the OHS Committee and/or OHS Representative are able to represent the employees in the workgroup effectively.

What size should a workgroup be?

There is no limit on the size of a workgroup. However, either the size of the workgroup must be such that regular meaningful consultation can be undertaken by the OHS Committee members or OHS Representatives or the OHS representation must be boosted to ensure meaningful and effective consultation takes place on a regular basis.

What factors should be considered when deciding on workgroups?

Hours of work
The pattern of work (eg full-time, part-time etc)
The number of employees
Geographic location of employees
Different types of work
Different levels of responsibility
The attributes of the employees including ethnicity and age
The nature of the OHS hazards
The interaction of employees with employees of another employer
Any other factor that may affect the health and safety of employees at the employer's undertaking.

What if there is more than two workgroups?

The University will ensure that there is an integrated approach to OHS issues. A flowchart demonstrating the basic concept of an integrated approach has been developed. Click here to view the flowchart.

What about contractors and labour-hire personnel?

The University has identified a need for a system of communication and consultation with contractor and labour-hire workgroups where there is a potential for common OHS issues to arise.

Strategies to include contractors and labour-hire workgroups in the consultation process may include:

inviting their representatives to the University's OHS Committee meetings where issues that may affect them are on the agenda; and
conducting regular meetings between the University and representatives of the contractor and labour-hire workgroups.