What is a Work Group?

Weekly WHS Article 18th May 2023

“Work groups” are groups of people within the business that are represented by a health and safety representative (HSR) and their deputy for each group.

Production Lines

Businesses may have multiple departments, units, sections, groups, or areas that exist at their site or across multiple sites which are necessary for the production, manufacturing and delivery of their product or service.

These sub-divisions of the business exist to establish correct workflow so that output occurs. This is your traditional "production line." The number of production areas required in a production line depends on the complexity of the product or service being produced. This is not what we are referring to as "work groups" in the context of workplace health and safety.

WHS consultation is mandatory

Consultation on WHS matters is a mandatory requirement of every business. Businesses must consult with persons who may be affected by a WHS matter before making decisions. Business owners and company directors and CEOs must ensure this occurs, when needed.

It would be impossible in some businesses for a CEO to personally go around the workplace and talk to every person about WHS matters, hazards and risks. It may be equally impractical for members of the leadership team to do the same. What if a WHS matter affected hundreds or even thousands of staff? That’s a lot of people to consult. Things could get complicated.

Work groups for WHS consultation

The WHS Act calls for the formation of work groups when the business owner wants to or when 5 or more staff request it. Work groups are formed for the purpose of WHS consultation (Ref 1 and 2). Work groups usually consist of workers who perform similar types of work and experience similar situations and conditions within their workplace (Ref 1).

A work group formed for this purpose is an identified and established group of people within the business that are then represented by one person (or their deputy in their absence) on those WHS matters that need input from the workforce. There may be multiple production departments, units, sections, or groups which make up a work group for health and safety consultation. WHS work groups may or may not mirror production departments.

Health and Safety Representatives

The CEO, or members of the leadership team (as "representatives of the PCBU") speak to the Health and Safety Representatives of each of the work groups and obtain the information they need from the staff in those groups. The chain of command is used to make this process successful. Section 70 of the WHS Act describes specific things that management might need to discuss with HSRs.[Ref 4]

If your business is too big or spread over too large an area then it may benefit the business to establish these consultation work groups for management to be better able to consult its workforce on health and safety matters. Management can make the decision themselves to formalize their consultation arrangements in this way.

The formation of work groups may be initiated by management or at the behest of staff. Once agreed, the process to elect health and safety representatives for the work groups can begin (Ref 3).

References

Ref 1 - SafeWork NSW: “Workgroups” www.safework.nsw.gov.au/safety-starts-here/consultation@work/workgroups

Ref 2 - Page 19, Code of Practice, Work Health & Safety Consultation, Cooperation & Coordination, Health and Safety Representatives

Ref 3 - Page 5, Work Groups, Safe Work Australia, Worker Representation and Participation Guide 12 Dec 2018

Ref 4 - Section 70, WHS Act 2011 General obligations of PCBU

For more information on WHS training or WHS compliance services, or if you would like help to make your WHS management system even more robust, please feel free to contact us at train@courtenell.com.au or phone us on 02 9552 2066.

18th May 2023 (Updated 8 August, 2024)

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