Table of Contents
2. Purpose of the HSE Committee
3. Composition of the HSE Committee
4. Roles and Responsibilities of the HSE Committee
1. Purpose
A Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) governance structure is essential for maintaining world-class standards of performance, continuous improvement, and compliance with legal, regulatory, and corporate requirements. The Board of Directors (or Executive Management Team) play critical and complementary roles in building & setting strategy, monitoring performance, and ensuring accountability.
This section defines the structure, purpose, process, responsibilities, and operational mechanisms of the HSE Committee, as well as the strategic oversight role played by the Board or Executive Leadership.
2. Purpose of the HSE Committee
The Committee serves as the primary body for coordinating and integrating HSE matters across the organization or project and binding the policies and procedures according to scope and recent matters. Its main purpose is to:
- Foster cross-functional engagement on HSE issues.
- Provide a platform for discussing and resolving HSE concerns. Additionally, it helps to identify workplace hazards & risks before they turn into incidents.
- Monitor and analyze compliance with HSE standards, procedures, and regulations.
- Support the implementation of HSE initiatives and continuous improvement.
- Strengthen the safety culture by promoting collaboration and accountability where workers and top management come together to create a safe and healthy working environment.
Whether it should be formed at the corporate, regional, or project level, the **HSE Committee** acts as a bridge between leadership and the workforce, enabling two-way communication and shared responsibility.
3. Composition of the HSE Committee
The HSE Committee is typically composed of a balanced representation of various roles and departments to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to HSE. A standard HSE Committee may include:
- Corporate or Project HSE Manager (Chairperson): Leads the committee and sets the agenda.
- Project Manager or Site Manager (Vice Chairperson): Provides operational insights, necessary resources, and ensures alignment with project priorities.
- Supervisors / Foremen (Member): Represent front-line management, workplace insights, and offer practical perspectives.
- Worker Representatives (Member): Nominated by the workforce to voice concerns and feedback.
- Medical / Occupational Health Officer (if applicable): Advises on health-related matters.
- HR Representative (Member): Ensures coordination on training, compliance, and incident response.
- Subcontractor Representatives (Member): Ensures integration of third-party personnel into HSE systems.
The committee will also invite external experts, consultants, or client representatives as needed to provide specialized insights or guidance for further improvements.
4. Roles and Responsibilities of the HSE Committee
The HSE Committee is the backbone for overseeing the operational aspects of HSE management and ensuring continuous engagement and participation at all levels. Core responsibilities included, but not limited to, this:
4.1 Policy Implementation
- Chairperson and members will ensure the consistent implementation of the company’s HSE policies and procedures to achieve the objectives.
- Recommend updates to policies based on lessons learned, audit findings, or regulatory changes when a gap is identified, and are there any opportunities for improvement.
4.2 Risk Management
- Regular review of the results of hazard identification, risk assessments, and their effective control measures.
- Measuring and monitoring of the implementation of safe work procedures and permit-to-work systems.
4.3 Performance Monitoring
- Analyze HSE performance data or statistical reports, including leading and lagging indicators.
- Track incident records and near-miss reports and ensure timely investigations and long-term corrective actions.
4.4 Training and Awareness
- Preparing the training and awareness material according to the nature of work that the organization performs. Apart from that, review the adequacy and effectiveness of HSE training programs through regular site visits to interact with the ground staff.
- Support initiatives such as safety campaigns, toolbox talks, behavior-based compliance, and health awareness days.
4.5 Incident Review
- Conduct preliminary discussions on incident root causes and action plans through the RCA investigation methodology.
- Provide oversight and guidance on the implementation of preventive and corrective actions.
4.6 Communication and Engagement
- Facilitate communication between management and the workforce on HSE matters. All health and safety matters need to be proactively communicated with the entire staff.
- Encourage workers to report unsafe conditions, participate in observations, and contribute to improvement efforts. If required, identify the cause of not reporting the safety observation.
4.7 Emergency Preparedness
- Review emergency response drills and ensure readiness plans are up to date according to the presence of risks & threats to the organization.
- Monitor the availability and condition of firefighting, rescue, and medical equipment or if required, external support.
5. Meeting Frequency and Protocols
The effectiveness of the HSE Committee is directly influenced by the consistency and structure of its meetings. Best practices include:
- Meeting Frequency: Monthly meetings are standard, with additional meetings convened after significant incidents, regulatory changes, or during critical project phases.
- Agenda Structure: Agendas are circulated in advance and include standing items such as incident review, inspection findings, training updates, and safety observations.
- Minutes and Action Tracking: Meeting minutes are documented, and actions are tracked using a centralized system to ensure accountability and closure.
- Escalation Protocol: Significant issues that cannot be resolved at the committee level are escalated to senior management or the Board.