Industrial Safety Management >Chapter 3 > Topic –Employee Participation in Safety > Subtopic- Safety Committee- Structure and Functions

Safety Committee- Structure and Functions 

Participative management is the widely acknowledged and popularly adapted  management system for managing the organization. Safety committee is one of the trustworthy area where Employees participation is core of this subject.  

There is statutory provision under the Factories act 1948 and each state shall make their rules for Safety Committee. Under the section 41-G of Factories act 1948 and under the rule 73-J of Maharashtra Factory rule ,1963. This Statutory gives the direction ,clauses ,criteria ,applicability for formation of the "Safety Committee"  within the organization for participation of employees in safety. 

We are going to see the topic Safety Committee following 5 sub topics- 

1) Applicability 

2) Formation ,Tenure ,Rights 

3) Functions 

4) Types of Safety Committee

5) Policy & Procedure 

1) Applicability-  

In every factory

(a) Wherein 250 or more workers are ordinarily employed

(b) Which carries on any process or operation declared to be dangerous under section 87 of the Act and employs more than 50 workers

(c) Which carries on 'hazardous process' as defined under section 2(cb) of the Act and employs more than 50 workers 

2) Formation ,Tenure ,Rights- 

The representatives of the Management on Safety Committee shall include-

(a) A senior official, who by his position in the organization can contribute effectively to the functioning of the Committee, shall be the Chairman.

(b) A Safety Officer and Factory Medical Officer, wherever available and the Safety Officer in such a case shall be the Secretary of the Committee

(c) A representative each from the production, maintenance and purchase departments.

(d) The workers' representatives on this Committee shall be elected by the workers. 

Tenure of the Safety Committee - 

(a) The tenure of the Committee shall be two years.

(b) Safety Committee shall meet as often as necessary but at least once in every quarter. 

(c) The minutes of the meeting (MOM) shall be recorded and produced to the Inspector on demand. 

Rights of the Safety Committee- 

(a) ask for necessary information concerning health and safety of the workers

(b) seek any relevant information concerning health and safety of the workers. 

3) Functions of the Safety Committee - 

1. Assisting and co-operating with the management in achieving the aims and objectives outlined in the 'Health and Safety Policy' of the occupier.

2. Dealing with all matters concerning health, safety and environment and to arrive at practicable solutions to problems encountered. 

3. Creating safety awareness amongst all workers.

4. Undertaking educational, training and promotional activities.

5. Deliberating on reports of safety, environmental and occupational health surveys, emergency plans safety audits, risk assessment and implementation of the recommendations made in the reports.

6. Carrying out health and safety surveys and identify causes of accidents.

7. Looking into any complaint made on the likelihood of an imminent danger to the safety and health of the workers and suggest corrective measures.

8. Reviewing the implementation of the recommendations made by it. 

Types of Safety Committee- 

Due to the size of factory or any other reason if sub-rules are impracticable, then factory may establish sub-safety committee to assist the Safety Committee. 

To assist the main Safety Committee there can be sub-committees. Following are the types of sub committee that can be formed. The purpose of these sub-committees shall be decided under the direction of main safety committee.  

Types of Committees may be:  

(1) Main or Central Safety Committee 

(2) Plant or Shop Safety Committee 

(3) Technical Safety Committee 

(4) Special purpose Safety Committee etc. 

Purpose of Sub-committees- 

2) Plant or Shop Safety Committee- 

Especially formed for particular plant or shop based on the processes and recommended by main safety committee.  

3) Technical Safety Committee - 

This committee is useful for specialized knowledge viz. guard design, process and engineering revision, hazard and risk analysis, special investigation etc. It comprises of chief engineer, safety engineer/officer, head mechanic, chief chemist and similar expert technicians. 

4) Special purpose Safety Committee- 

This committee can be setup for specific jobs and dissolved when its purpose is accomplished. Such jobs include special accident investigation, specific problems of worker behavior, off-the job safety, rehabilitation or relief problem, safety celebration or contest or award occasions etc.

5) Policy & Procedure - 

When a committee is formed, written instruction should be issued covering -

(1) Scope of activities 

(2) Extent of authorities and 

(3) Procedure as to time/place of meeting, frequency of meeting, order of business, records to be kept and attendance requirements. 

Size of Committee depends on size of establishment, quantum of unsafe conditions/acts, size and relationship of various departments/units, type of business etc. Workers' representatives should not be less than that of the management.

Its Essential Requirements are: (1) Set-up should  be appropriate to the work (Main Committee to include 12 key executives) (2) Members should be well-known and have respect to fellow-members (3) Members must be well aware of working conditions, work methods, practices, hazards, causes of accidents and remedial measures, and (4) It should be as small as possible with minimum members from the sections necessary.

The management should make it clear that it wants results and should give effective executive supervision over the affairs of the committee. The committee members should have firm determination to advance the cause of Safety. 

References : 

• Fundamentals of Industrial Safety and Health By - K.U.Mistry 
• The Factories Act, 1948 
• The Maharashtra Factories Rules, 1963
• Google.com