An effective WHS Committee is one of the most powerful drivers of safety performance. This 1-day Safety Committee course gives members the skills, structure and confidence to operate as a high-functioning committee that genuinely improves WHS outcomes.

When committees are not structured or supported properly, they lose direction and fail to add value. This course ensures your committee:

• Understands its purpose

• Operates with structure and confidence

• Improves communication across the workforce

• Makes informed decisions

• Drives meaningful improvement instead of just holding meetings

Whether you are setting up a new committee, joining an existing committee, or your current committee is not performing at its best, this course provides practical, modern and structured guidance to help you meet your consultation duties and improve safety leadership across the business.

The course is suitable for Safety Representatives, Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), Supervisors, Managers, HR personnel and anyone participating in WHS committees.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• New and existing WHS Committee members

• Safety Representatives and HSRs

• Supervisors and Managers

• HR professionals

• Anyone responsible for leading or supporting WHS consultation

Ideal for businesses establishing a committee for the first time, onboarding new members, or revitalising an underperforming committee.

What You Will Learn

Participants will develop the skills required to contribute to a confident, structured and productive WHS Committee. Topics include:

1. WHS Consultation and Legal Duties

• Duties of PCBUs, Officers, HSRs and committee members

• Consultation requirements under WHS legislation

• When consultation is required and how to meet obligations

2. Establishing or Improving Your WHS Committee

• Committee purpose, structure and charter

• How to establish meeting frequency and communication protocols

• Setting the tone for a professional, proactive committee

3. Roles and Responsibilities

• Committee Chairperson

• Secretary / Administrator

• HSR involvement

• Worker representatives and management representatives

• Expectations and required conduct

4. Running Effective Meetings

• How to plan and run productive WHS Committee meetings

• Managing time, agendas and action lists

• Recording minutes that are clear, compliant and meaningful

• How to keep meetings focused, respectful and outcome-driven

5. Consultation, Negotiation and Collaboration

• How to navigate disagreements respectfully

• Negotiation strategies that support safe decisions

• Maintaining trust and credibility with workers and management

• How to raise issues without conflict

6. Identifying and Closing Issues

• How to identify hazards raised by workers or through committee activities

• Tracking actions to close issues promptly

• Escalation pathways when issues stall or remain unresolved

• Measuring and reporting committee performance

7. Continuous Improvement

• How to evaluate committee effectiveness

• Strategies to increase participation and engagement

• Communicating outcomes to the workforce

• Supporting improved risk management and WHS performance across the business

Course Duration

1 full day, face-to-face

Assessment

This non-accredited course includes short quizzes and group activities to reinforce learning. No formal assessments are required.

Certificate

Participants receive a Certificate of Completion from Orana Skills Centre.