Industrial Safety and Fire safety management

Module 1
Lecture 3
“Safety Committee”
(Dr. P. K. Ghosh, Director, CSVTU)

Introduction/what is safety committee?

A safety committee, also known as a health and safety committee, is a group of
individuals within an organization or workplace that is responsible for promoting
and ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. The primary purpose of a safety
committee is to identify and address potential hazards, implement safety policies and
procedures, and promote a culture of safety among employees.
The composition of a safety committee can vary depending on the size and nature of
the organization, but it typically includes representatives from different departments
or areas within the workplace. These representatives may include employees from
various levels, supervisors, managers, and sometimes health and safety
professionals.
How it is constituted?
Half of the members of the committee are from the worker and half from the
management the size of the committee will depends on the total no of workers in the
factory. If one third of worker are women at least one third of the nominated
representative of worker also must be women.

Total No of workers Maximum size of committee

Below 500 6
From 501-1000 8
From1001-3000 10
From 3001and above 12
Safety committee Under the Factories Act, 1948 in India, there are provisions
related to the constitution and functions of Safety Committees in factories. These
provisions aim to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of workers within the factory
premises. The specific rules and regulations regarding Safety Committees may vary
from state to state as the Act is implemented by the respective State Governments.
However, some common features are as follows:
1. Constitution of Safety Committees: The Act may require factories,
depending on their size and nature of operations, to constitute Safety
Committees. The committees are typically composed of representatives from
both the management and the workers.
2. Membership: The Safety Committee usually consists of equal representation
from the employer's side and the workers' side. The number of members and
their roles may be specified by the state-specific rules.
3. Chairperson: The committee usually has a designated Chairperson, often
chosen from among the representatives of the management.
4. Meetings: The Safety Committee is required to meet at regular intervals as
specified by the state rules or as deemed necessary by the Chairperson. There
should be a minimum number of meetings per quarter or year, depending on
the state regulations.
5. Functions: The primary functions of the Safety Committee include:
• Reviewing and monitoring the safety measures and working conditions
in the factory.
• Suggesting measures for the improvement of the safety and health
standards.
• Investigating accidents, incidents, or health-related issues that occur
within the factory and recommending preventive measures.
• Conducting safety awareness programs and training sessions for the
workers.
6. Inspections: The Safety Committee, along with the factory inspector, may
conduct inspections to assess compliance with safety regulations and make
recommendations accordingly.
 7. Recording Minutes: Detailed minutes of the Safety Committee meetings are
to be maintained, which should include the agenda, discussions, decisions,
and action points.
It is important to note that the specific provisions regarding Safety Committees may
vary from state to state within India. Therefore, it is crucial to refer to the Factories
Act and the relevant state-specific rules and regulations for accurate and up-to-date
information.
Additionally, the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020,
which is intended to replace and consolidate several labor laws, also includes
provisions related to safety committees, and the rules under this code should be
consulted for any recent developments.

Who can be Members of safety committee?

The members of a Safety Committee can vary depending on the size and nature of
the organization. Typically, a Safety Committee includes representatives from
different departments and levels of the organization to ensure diverse perspectives
and expertise. Here are some common members of a Safety Committee:
1. Safety Manager/Coordinator: The individual responsible for overseeing the
overall safety program and coordinating the activities of the Safety
Committee.
2. Health and Safety Officer: The person with specialized knowledge and
training in occupational health and safety who assists in identifying hazards
and implementing safety measures.
3. Representatives from Management: Managers or supervisors from various
departments who can provide insights into safety concerns specific to their
areas of responsibility.
4. Frontline Employees: Including representatives from different work areas,
as they have firsthand experience and knowledge of the safety challenges and
potential hazards in their respective roles.
5. Human Resources Representative: HR personnel can contribute to the
committee by addressing employee safety concerns and helping with safety-
related training and policies.
 6. Maintenance Staff: These individuals can provide insights into equipment
safety and maintenance practices.
7. Emergency Response Team Members: If applicable, including
representatives from the organization's emergency response team to ensure
proper coordination in case of emergencies.
8. Environmental Health Officer (EHS): For larger organizations or those with
specific environmental health concerns, an EHS officer might be part of the
committee.
9. Union Representatives (if applicable): In unionized environments, it's
essential to involve union representatives to ensure that employees' safety
concerns are effectively addressed.
10.Occupational Health Professionals: Some organizations may include
occupational health professionals such as nurses or doctors to offer their
expertise on health-related matters.
11.Safety Committee Chairperson: A designated individual who leads the
Safety Committee and facilitates meetings.
12.Secretary/Recorder: Someone responsible for documenting meeting
minutes, action items, and other committee-related records.
It is essential to ensure that the Safety Committee is well-represented, diverse, and
inclusive. Committee members should be enthusiastic about promoting workplace
safety and willing to actively participate in safety-related activities, inspections, and
initiatives. Additionally, providing adequate training and resources to committee
members will empower them to fulfill their roles effectively.

Safety Committees members Duties

Chairperson
1. Prepare agenda for next meeting
2. Arrange for meeting place
3. Notify members of meeting
 4. Arrange program
5. Set time schedule for meeting
6. Arrange all seating for members
7. Review previous minutes and material for meeting
8. Conduct meeting
Secretary
1. Record minutes of meeting
2. Distribute minutes to committee members
3. Post minutes for other employees
4. Report status of recommendations
5. Assume chairpersons’ duties, if require

Members
1. Report unsafe conditions and practices
2. Attend all safety meetings
3. Report all accidents or near misses
4. Review injury accidents, illnesses and death investigations
5. Contribute ideas and suggestions for improvement of safety
6. Work safely Influence others to work safely
7. Make or assist in inspection
Purpose and Role of the Safety Committee
At any organization the safety and well-being of employees are of utmost
importance. The Safety Committee plays a vital role in ensuring that any workplace
remains secure, and employees can carry out their tasks without unnecessary risks
or hazards.
The Safety Committee is a dedicated group of individuals who have come together
to proactively address safety concerns and develop effective strategies to maintain a
safe working environment. Safety committee comprises representatives from
various departments, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to tackle
safety challenges effectively.
Importance of Workplace Safety
Workplace safety is not just a legal requirement; it is a fundamental right of every
employee. Providing a safe working environment is crucial for several reasons:
Protecting Employees: Workplace accidents and incidents can lead to injuries or
even fatalities. By prioritizing safety, we aim to prevent such incidents and ensure
the well-being of all our employees.
Boosting Productivity: A safe workplace instills confidence in employees, allowing
them to focus on their tasks without worrying about potential hazards. This, in turn,
enhances productivity and efficiency.
Minimizing Costs: Workplace accidents can result in significant financial losses
due to medical expenses, compensation claims, and reduced productivity. A strong
safety culture helps us minimize these costs and maintain a stable bottom line.
How the Safety Committee Contributes to Workplace Safety/Roles and
responsibility of safety committee:
The Safety Committee plays a proactive and influential role in safeguarding our
work environment:
The Safety Committee plays a crucial role in promoting and maintaining a safe
working environment within an organization. Its members work collaboratively to
identify potential hazards, implement safety measures, and foster a culture of safety.
The specific roles and responsibilities of a Safety Committee can vary depending on
the organization's size, industry, and safety needs. However, here are some common
roles and responsibilities of a Safety Committee:
1. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment:
• Conduct regular inspections and risk assessments of the workplace to
identify potential hazards.
 • Evaluate the level of risk associated with each hazard and prioritize
corrective actions.
2. Incident Reporting and Investigation:
• Establish a clear process for reporting workplace incidents, accidents,
and near-miss events.
• Conduct thorough investigations into reported incidents to determine
root causes and contributing factors.
3. Safety Policy Review and Implementation:
• Review existing safety policies and procedures to ensure they are up-
to-date and compliant with regulations.
• Work with management to implement and communicate safety policies
effectively across the organization.
4. Training and Education:
• Organize and facilitate safety training sessions for employees to
enhance their awareness and understanding of safety procedures.
• Collaborate with relevant departments to develop specialized training
programs for specific job roles or hazards.
5. Emergency Preparedness:
• Develop and review emergency response plans, including evacuation
procedures and communication protocols.
• Conduct drills and exercises to test the effectiveness of emergency
response plans and identify areas for improvement.
6. Safety Promotion and Communication:
• Raise awareness about safety issues and initiatives through posters,
newsletters, and other communication channels.
• Encourage open communication between employees and the Safety
Committee to report safety concerns or suggestions.
7. Safety Culture Building:
• with regulations.
 • Work with management to implement and communicate safety policies
effectively across the organization.
8. Training and Education:
• Organize and facilitate safety training sessions for employees to
enhance their awareness and understanding of safety procedures.
• Collaborate with relevant departments to develop specialized training
programs for specific job roles or hazards.
9. Emergency Preparedness:
• Develop and review emergency response plans, including evacuation
procedures and communication protocols.
• Conduct drills and exercises to test the effectiveness of emergency
response plans and identify areas for improvement.
10.Safety Promotion and Communication:
• Raise awareness about safety issues and initiatives through posters,
newsletters, and other communication channels.
• Encourage open communication between employees and the Safety
Committee to report safety concerns or suggestions.
11.Continuous Improvement:
• Continuously assess and improve safety procedures and practices based
on feedback and results.
• Implement corrective actions and monitor their effectiveness to prevent
recurrent safety issues.
The Safety Committee should operate as a proactive and solution-oriented team,
engaging employees at all levels of the organization to create a safer and healthier
work environment. Their efforts and dedication contribute significantly to reducing
accidents, injuries, and incidents, enhancing employee well-being, and boosting
overall productivity.
Safety Committee act and laws
arious safety-related regulations and guidelines are issued by different government
agencies for specific industries. The norms for safety committees may vary
depending on the industry and the country or state in which the business operates.
For instance, the India’s Factories Act, 1948, which is applicable to manufacturing
units, has provisions related to the constitution and functions of Safety Committees.
The Act mandates that factories with a certain number of workers should constitute
Safety Committees to promote safety measures and address workplace health and
safety concerns.
Factories Act, 1948: The Factories Act lays down provisions for the health, safety,
and welfare of workers in factories. Section 41G of the Act deals with the
constitution of safety committees in certain types of factories, where more than 250
workers are employed.
Section 41G requires the occupier shall, in every factory where a hazardous process
takes place, or where hazardous substances are used or handled, set up a Safety
Committee consisting of equal number of representatives of workers and
management to promote co-operation between the workers and the management in
maintaining proper safety and health at work and to review periodically the measures
taken in that behalf.
The Mines Act, 1952, and the Mines Rules also have provisions for the constitution
of Safety Committees for mining operations to ensure the safety and welfare of
workers.
Section 58 (VV) of the Act deals with the constitution of safety committees in mines.
The safety committees are responsible for reviewing safety measures,
recommending improvements, and promoting safety awareness among workers.
The occupational safety, health and working conditions (OHS) code, 2020
Safety Committee (as per Chapter IV Section 22(1) of OSH Code, 2020. ) The
appropriate Government may, by general or special order, require any establishment
or class of establishments to constitute in the prescribed manner a Safety Committee
consisting of representatives of employers and workers engaged in such
establishment in such manner that the number of representatives of workers on the
Committee shall not be less than the number of representatives of the employer and
the representatives of the workers shall be chosen in such manner and for such
purpose as may be prescribed by appropriate Government. 22(2) In every
establishment which is a— (a) factory wherein five hundred workers or more; or (b)
factory carrying on hazardous process wherein two hundred fifty workers or more;
or (c) building or other construction work wherein two hundred fifty workers or
more; or (d) mine wherein one hundred workers or more, are ordinarily employed,
the employer shall also appoint such number of safety officers, who shall possess
such qualifications and perform such duties, as may be prescribed by appropriate
Government.

Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and

Conditions of Service) Act, 1996: This Act aims to regulate the employment and
conditions of service of building and construction workers. Although it does
emphasize the importance of SAFETY AND HEALTH MEASURES at construction
sites.

Safety Committee and safety officers as per Chapter VII Section 38 of BOCW
act (1) In every establishment wherein five hundred or more building workers are
ordinarily employed, the employer shall constitute a Safety Committee consisting of
such number of representatives of the employer and the building workers as may be
prescribed by the State Government:
Provided that the number of persons representing the workers, shall, in no case, be
less than the persons representing the employer.
(2) In every establishment referred to in sub-section (1), the employer shall also
appoint a safety officer who shall possess such qualifications and perform such
duties as may be prescribed.

The Dock Workers (Safety, Health, and Welfare) Act, 1986: This Act is focused
on ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of dock workers. It contains provisions
for the establishment of advisory committees in dock areas to address safety
concerns.
State-specific labor laws: Several Indian states have their own labor laws that may
address safety committee requirements for specific industries or workplaces.

International Laws for Safety Committees

International law and acts related to safety committees can be essential in promoting
safety and protecting the well-being of individuals in various settings, such as
workplaces, public spaces, and international organizations Regional and National
Legislation: Different regions and countries have their own laws and regulations
concerning workplace safety committees and safety practices.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the

United Nations that focuses on labor issues, including workplace safety.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standards: ISO develops

and publishes international standards that can be adopted by countries and
organizations to improve safety practices. ISO 45001:2018 is an example of an
occupational health and safety management system standard that emphasizes the
involvement of workers and the establishment of safety committees.

Conclusion:
• These all acts and laws Summarize the importance of national & international
act & laws in promoting safety committees and ensuring global safety
standards.
• It Emphasize the significance of collaboration between countries to address
safety challenges effectively.