707 Effective OSH Committee Meetings

Steps in Making Decisions

Effective decision-making is an important part of running a successful safety committee. When decisions are made with care and input from all members, the committee builds trust and accountability—leading to stronger safety practices in the workplace.

Steps in Making Decisions

Effective decision-making is an important part of running a successful safety committee. When decisions are made with care and input from all members, the committee builds trust and accountability—leading to stronger safety practices in the workplace.

A common approach to group decision-making is reaching consensus. Consensus means that everyone has had the opportunity to contribute ideas, and the final decision reflects general agreement—even if not every member fully agrees with every detail. Consensus helps promote teamwork, shared responsibility, and a sense of ownership for the outcomes.

Below are the basic steps your safety committee can follow to make decisions through consensus:

1. Agree on the purpose, desired outcomes, and ground rules.
   At the start of the meeting, make sure everyone understands the purpose of the discussion, what the group hopes to accomplish, and the ground rules for respectful and productive conversation.

1. Identify the problem.
   Clearly define the issue or problem that needs to be addressed. It is important that everyone shares the same understanding of the problem before moving forward.
2. Identify and process possible solutions.
   Brainstorm a variety of ideas as a group. Clarify suggestions as needed, group similar ideas, and then rank or prioritize them. Through discussion and agreement, select the best option(s).
3. Develop an action plan.
   Once a decision is made, outline the necessary steps for implementation. Identify who will be responsible for each task, set deadlines, and ensure all members understand their roles.
4. Review the meeting.
   At the close of the meeting, briefly review key decisions, assigned action items, and next steps. This helps ensure that everyone leaves with a clear understanding of what needs to be done.

Tips for Handling Disagreement or Deadlock

• Allow each member to voice their concerns and suggestions.
• Encourage members to focus on solutions and common goals, rather than on personal preferences.
• If disagreement continues, take a short break to allow members to reflect or discuss informally.
• If consensus still cannot be reached, use the pre-agreed back-up method (such as majority vote) to move forward.
• Document all decisions and the process used to reach them, so there is a clear record for future reference.

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