Why bother with worker engagement
It builds a culture of shared responsibility for health and safety
Engaging employees in health and safety creates a culture of shared responsibility. It encourages people to identify risks, raise concerns, and contribute to safer ways of working. As a result, health and safety becomes something everyone owns, not just a management responsibility.
Furthermore, when employees participate in health and safety discussions and decisions, safe practices become part of everyday behaviour rather than a compliance exercise. For this reason, employers should actively involve employees in health and safety processes to strengthen workplace engagement and improve safety outcomes.
What the law requires
PCBUs (employers) must engage with employees on health and safety matters that affect them. This includes sharing relevant information, consulting with workers, and giving employees meaningful opportunities to contribute to health and safety decisions. Consequently, employers should plan how they will involve employees and encourage participation throughout the process.
The law also requires PCBUs to support worker representation. For example, workers may elect Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) to represent their interests and raise health and safety concerns. Furthermore, if a workplace has 20 or more workers, the PCBU must establish a Health and Safety Committee when workers request one.
Together, these requirements help employees participate in health and safety management, influence decisions, and contribute to a safer workplace.
Engagement – information
Employees should be provided with information on the following (in induction, noticeboards, team talks) to promote employee engagement and awareness.
- Workplace hazards and risks (induction / notice board)
- Emergency procedures (drills)
- H&S policies and procedures (induction)
- Recent incidents and lessons learned (team talk / notice board)
Worker Engagement – consultation
Involve employees that affect their health and safety, before decisions are made. This improves employee engagement and brings more voices to the discussion.
- Changes to work processes or facilities
- Introduction of new materials or machinery
Worker Engagement – participation
Provide means for employee to contribute: this approach increases engagement and builds a sense of ownership among employees.
- Reporting hazards and incidents and near misses
- Suggest improvements to controlling risk
Winsland can provide companies with guidance on how to meet their employee engagement requirements – it typically takes a phone call.
Worksafe information on engagement can be found here