Resolving issues
How to resolve health and safety issues effectively.
It is inevitable that issues will arise regarding health and safety at the workplace, and issues will also arise between workers and managers. The sooner the issues are resolved effectively – with or without third party assistance – the better.
There are specific laws about resolving issues that arise at the workplace. Here we summarise those laws and give you some practical tips.
Agreed procedure
You should have a written agreed procedure for resolving issues at the workplace. At a minimum, it must include what’s outlined below and be explained to everyone it applies to.
Default procedure
Until a written agreed procedure is in place, any worker, health and safety representative, manager or third party representative can commence an issue resolution process by telling others about the nature and scope of the issue that concerns them.
Each party then considers how the issue affects others and how many people it affects. Someone should then be made responsible for implementing measures to resolve the issue.
Once the issue is resolved, set out the details in writing should a party request it. Give a copy to all parties and, if requested, to the health and safety committee.
More information
For the specific laws about resolving issues, see clauses 22 – 23 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.
There are also general work health and safety laws that will apply to you in any situation, including when resolving issues.