Section 21: Establishment of Safety and Health Committees

21. Establishment of Safety and Health Committees (1) Every employer of 50 or more employees shall establish a Safety and Health Committee. (2) The Permanent Secretary may require any employer of less than 50 employees to establish a Safety and Health Committee in compliance with the provisions of this section. (3) The Committee shall consist of— (a) a Chairperson who shall be the employer, or a senior member of the management who is responsible for safety, health and welfare of employees at the place of work; [Issue 1] O2 – 18 Revised Laws of Mauritius (b) a Vice-Chairperson, designated by the employees in such manner as may be required by the employer; (c) a Secretary who shall, subject to subsections (5) and (6), be the registered Safety and Health Officer; and (d) (i) 4 members, where the number of employees is 50 or more but less than 100; or (ii) 8 members, where the number of employees is 100 or more, to represent equally the employer and the employees. (4) No person shall be a representative of the employees on the Committee unless— (a) he is an employee of an employer referred to in subsection (1); and (b) he has been so appointed at a meeting where all the employees had been convened for the purpose of such appointment. (5) Where the employer employs more than one registered Safety and Health Officer, he shall designate one of them to be the Secretary of the Committee. (6) Where the employer does not employ a registered Safety and Health Officer, he shall appoint one of his employees as the Secretary of the Committee.