The Commission (previously known as the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health) consists of employers, employees and government representatives and people with expertise and knowledge in work health and safety matters. The Commission:
- is the peak consultative forum on work health and safety in Western Australia
- liaises with WorkSafe, a division of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety that administers and enforces work health and safety laws in Western Australia.
Who is on the Commission?
- an independent chair nominated by the Minister
- the WorkSafe Western Australia Commissioner
- two officers of the Public Service nominated by the Minister responsible for the administration of the Work Health and Safety Act (2020), one of whom has knowledge of, and experience in, the mining industry
- two members nominated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA
- three members nominated by UnionsWA, one of whom must have knowledge and experience in the mining industry
- three members nominated by the Minister with expertise and knowledge of matters relating to work health and safety
- one member nominated by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA.
Current membership
- Owen Whittle (Chairperson)
- Dr Lin Fritschi (Deputy Chairperson, expert member)
- Tracey Bence (expert member)
- Dr Matthew Govorko (expert member)
- Agnes McKay (industry member)
- Cory Harding (industry member)
- Michelle Gadellaa (industry member)
- Rikki Hendon (union member)
- Glenn McLaren (union member)
- Antony Pearson (union member)
- Sally North (WorkSafe Commissioner / Ex-officio member)
- Tony Robertson (Director WorkSafe Mines Safety / Public service representative)
The Commission meets each month except in January. Minutes of Commission meetings are publicly available once they are confirmed (generally within six weeks).
Advisory committees to the Commission
The Commission may appoint advisory committees to help it carry out its functions and duties.
Advisory committees include employer and worker representatives and people with specialist work health and safety knowledge or experience.
They consider matters referred by the Commission and provide advice and recommendations. Members are appointed by the Commission, and each advisory committee is chaired by a Commission member.
There are currently four advisory committees.