Updated March 2008
Policy Reference
This policy document refers to the following aims and objectives outlined in the Council’s General Statement of Health and Safety Policy:-
a) Creating and maintaining a positive health and safety culture which secures
the commitment and participation of all employees. (General Statement
1.3.a)
b) Encouraging full consultation on health and safety matters at all levels and
requiring health and safety to be a standing item on all management and
staff meeting agendas. (General Statement 1.3.h)
Policy Objectives
The Highland Council recognises the importance of employee involvement in health and safety matters and that consultation forms an important part of that process. The objectives of this policy are therefore to ensure that:-
a) Arrangements are in place for formal consultation on health and safety
matters with the recognised Trade Unions.
b) Arrangements are in place for consultation on health and safety matters
with employees who are not Trade Union members.
c) The Council complies with its legal obligations to consult with all employees
on health and safety matters.
Arrangements
The arrangements for consultation with employees on health and safety matters will be as follows:-
Central Safety Committee
As a sub-committee of the Councils Resources Committee’s Joint Consultation Group (JCG), the Central Safety Committee provides a forum for formal consultation with the recognised Trade Unions on health and safety issues.
Operational Area Health and Safety Groups
Health and Safety Consultative groups have been established in the main administrative centres of the Councils three Operational Areas. These groups ensure that consultation with all staff (Union and non-Union) takes place at a local level in the Operational Areas.
Service Health and Safety Groups
Each Service is required to establish a consultation group to ensure that Service specific health and safety issues are discussed with staff involved in all aspects of Service delivery.
Management and Staff Meetings
It is a requirement of this policy that health and safety be included as a standing item on the agenda of all Management and Staff meetings. This will ensure that staff at all levels are given the opportunity to raise health and safety concerns and participate in the overall consultation process.
Guidance
Guidance will be issued to support the effective implementation of this policy including:-
a) The membership and remit of the Central Safety Committee.
b) The membership and remit of the Operational Area Health and Safety
Consultation Groups.
c) The membership and remit of Service specific health and safety groups.
d) The role and functions of Trade Union Health and Safety Representatives.
e) Health and safety training for employee representatives.
f) Management, Staff and Workplace Meetings
Legal Reference
The arrangements also outline the provisions the Council intends to make to discharge its duties in relation to the following statutory requirements:-
a) The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 Section 2(6) – The duty to
consult with Safety Representatives in order to achieve co-operation in the
promotion and evaluation of measures introduced to ensure the health and
safety of employees.
b) The Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977 – All
requirements
c) Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 – The
requirement to consult with all employees of matters affecting their health,
safety and welfare at work.