Local OHS Committee – Terms of Reference Template<This document is a template and may be adjusted to suit the requirements of the area>

PurposeThe primary role of the <replace with specific name> OHS committee is to provide a consultative forum for the discussion and resolution of OHS matters and support the implementation of appropriate controls.

The Committee achieves this role through the following responsibilities:

1. Promote and facilitate cooperation between staff, students and management in the development and implementation of OHS policy, procedures, guidelines and programs at Monash.

2. Ensure a best practice and continuous improvement approach, is adopted by the area in all matters that relate to occupational health and safety.

3. Formulate and assist with the implementation of OHS improvement strategies for the area including OHS policy, procedures, guidelines, plans and programs;

4. Promotion of a strong OHS culture in the area through regular communication and consultation, promotion of improvements and highlighting of specific hazards or incidents;

5. Review of OHS related performance indicators such as:a. Workplace inspections (minimum 2 per year required);b. Trial evacuations (either 1 or 2 required per year depending on building type);c. Induction of new staff and students;d. Training staff and students in the area.e. Monitoring the OHS legislative compliance of the area and, in particular:f. Ensuring that a risk management approach is taken to hazardous tasks, new

activities, research and equipment;g. Ensuring that emergency procedures are developed and implemented in the area;h. Monitoring the implementation of OHSMS audit recommendations.

MembershipThe term of office of each member will be a maximum of <define tenure period>, after which nominations for membership will again be sought.Membership consists of:

1. Committee executive have a direct participatory role, ensuring meetings run smoothly and actions are assigned and minited. The Committee Executive consists of:

Chair – Delegate of the Dean/Divisional Director (e.g. Senior Executive of the area) Deputy Chair – Senior Manager of the Faculty/Division Minutes Secretary – e.g. Administrative Officer

2. Representative members represent their Organisational Unit or a Designated Working Group (DWG). They complete assigned actions and participate in working groups as required. The Representative members can include:

Management Representatives; Safety Officers; Subject Matter Experts (e.g. Speciality Safety Officers, First Aid Coordinators,

Emergency Wardens; Wellbeing Champions, etc);<insert name of OHS Committee> – Terms of Reference, v1.0 Responsible Officer: <Name of OHS Committee Chair> Page 1 of 3

Date Effective: <month, year> Date of next review: <year>

For the latest version of this document please go to: <insert faculty/divisional intranet>

Health and Safety Representatives (where elected).

<insert name of OHS Committee> – Terms of Reference, v1.0 Responsible Officer: <Name of OHS Committee Chair> Page 2 of 3Date Effective: <month, year> Date of next review: <year>

For the latest version of this document please go to: <insert faculty/divisional intranet>

3. Guests and Invited members provide additional information as required. Guests can include: OHS Consultant/Advisor; Any other suitable member of staff; Student representative; External guests as approved by the Chairperson.

4. Alternates: Each committee member may nominate an alternate representative to attend meetings in their absence.

Meetings1. The Committee will meet four times a year on dates to be determined, as well as on other

occasions deemed necessary by the Chairperson.2. The quorum required to be present at a meeting of the Occupational Health & Safety

Committee meetings shall be <define number>.3. The Committee can invite any person to attend meetings and may refer matters deemed to

require attention direct to the appropriate officer.4. It is the responsibility of the Chair to ensure that the Committee represents all areas of the

organisational unit.5. The Committee meeting structure shall follow the standard university OHS agenda.6. The agenda shall be prepared by the OHS Committee Chairperson and provided to members

of the committee on a timely basis in advance of the meeting.7. The Committee may establish active working groups as needed to progress actions from

each agenda or the strategic plan.8. Anyone within <replace with Organisational unit> can raise items to the Committee.9. Representative Members will provide a report to the Committee via <describe the local

reporting mechanism>

OHS Consultant/Advisor: OHS Consultant Report will be provided for each meeting.

Communication:1. Committee correspondence will be directed via <include the local contact point/email

address>2. Meeting dates and minutes will be communicated to staff/students via < describe the local

communication methods>.3. Agenda items will be requested X before meeting.4. Meeting updates and/or reports to the Faculty/Divisional Executive will be provided by the

Chair as required.

Escalation to MUOHSC:Matters that cannot be or are not resolved by the local OHS Committee may be escalated to the Faculty/Divisional Executive. Matters that affect or might be relevant to the broader University community shall be escalated to MUOHSC.

<insert name of OHS Committee> – Terms of Reference, v1.0 Responsible Officer: <Name of OHS Committee Chair> Page 3 of 3Date Effective: <month, year> Date of next review: <year>

For the latest version of this document please go to: <insert faculty/divisional intranet>