Introduction to Fire Safety Management

3.5
Safety committees
When two or more union appointed safety representa-
tives request, in writing, the formation of a safety com-
mittee, the employer must establish such a committee 
within three months.
The membership and structure of the safety 
com mittee is determined by consultation between the 
management and the representatives concerned. This 
should be aimed at keeping the total size as compact 
as possible but with adequate representation of the 
interests of management and employees.
To this end it may be necessary in large workplaces 
to appoint subcommittees who will discuss areas of 
common concern and then nominate one spokesperson 
to represent them all at the main committee level. As a 
general rule a large safety committee not only has longer 
meetings but it is less effective than a smaller committee.
For a safety committee to operate effectively it is 
necessary to determine its objectives and functions. 
To succeed, both management and employees have to 
demonstrate a commitment and positive approach to a 
programme of accident prevention and the establishment 
of a safe and healthy environment and safe systems 
of work.
3.5.1 Objectives
The primary objectives of a health and safety committee 
should be:
➤
The promotion of health, safety and welfare at work 
by the provision of a forum for discussion and
➤
The promotion and support of normal employee/
employer systems for the reporting and control of 
safety issues.
Typically terms of reference for a 
safety committee
may 
include:
➤
Examining the safety adviser’s report and other 
reports on the agenda with a view to recommending 
actions and assessing priorities
➤
Monitoring the effectiveness of health, safety, fi re 
and welfare communication and publicity
➤
To develop, progress and assist in the implementa-
tion of health at work initiatives
➤
Monitor, evaluate and assist in the development of 
the organization’s safety-related policies and opera-
tional procedures
➤
To review accidents, incidents, collect statistics, ana-
lyse trends on occupational health and study reports 
on health, safety and fi re safety issues
➤
To review new, existing and recurring issues revealed 
by safety audits
➤
Report to individual senior managers or an organisa-
tion’s senior management team on matters concern-
ing safety at work
➤
To monitor safety training programmes and stand-
ards achieved
➤
To act as a consultative forum on workplace meas-
ures which may affect health, safety and welfare of 
employees

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