How would a workplace health and safety committee in the workplace relate to the COVID protection plan?

This question is from a series of questions and answers on Worker Rights and Strategies for Staying Safe During COVID-19 created by National COSH to support workers during the pandemic.

HOW WOULD A WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE IN THE WORKPLACE RELATE TO THE COVID PROTECTION PLAN?

• Health and safety committees should be the cornerstone of every workplace health and safety program.
• Committees need to have significant participation from workers and worker representatives. Worker representatives should be selected by workers themselves, not tapped by management.
• Some states have required health and safety committees and most union contracts have health and safety committees specified. Many employers have committees set up with worker volunteers.
• Health and safety committees should monitor the workplace COVID-19 Protection Plan.
• Any reports from workers that indicate lapses in the plan’s implementation should be investigated by the committee and recommendations should be implemented.
• Visit nationalcosh.org for more information on forming and using health and safety committees.