(1) The Minister shall establish an advisory council to be known as the Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health consisting of 7 members appointed by the Minister from among persons nominated for such appointment by bodies or persons representative of the concerns referred to in subsection (2), one of whom shall be the Chief Occupational Safety and Health Officer.
(2) The members of the Advisory Council shall be appointed for a term as the Minister determines and shall be as follows—
(a) the Chief Occupational Safety and Health Officer;
(b) two persons nominated by bodies representing employers' organizations;
(c) two persons nominated by trade unions;
(d) one person concerned with and knowledgeable in matters relevant to occupational safety, welfare and health; and
(e) one person nominated by the National Insurance Corporation.
(3) The Minister shall designate a chairperson and a vice chairperson of the Advisory Council from among the members appointed.
(4) The Minister may fill any vacancy that occurs in the membership of the Advisory Council in accordance with subsection (2).
(5) Any remuneration and expenses of the members of the Advisory Council shall be determined by the Minister and shall be paid out of monies approved by Parliament for that purpose.
(6) The Advisory Council, with the approval of the Minister, may make rules and pass resolutions governing its procedure, including the calling of meetings, the establishment of a quorum and the conduct of meetings.
(7) The functions of the Advisory Council are—
(a) to hear and receive proposals from interested persons and the public at large on a national policy on occupational safety and health and ways to improve occupational safety and health in Saint Lucia;
(b) to advise the Minister on general matters relating to occupational safety and health, or arising out of the operation of this Part which may be brought to its attention or be referred to it, and to formulate a national policy on occupational safety and health;
(c) to make recommendations to the Minister relating to programmes of the Department of Labour in occupational safety and health, including enforcement, and the implementation of a national policy on occupational safety and health;
(d) to promote public awareness of occupational safety and health; and
(e) any other function assigned to the Advisory Council by the Minister.
(8) The Advisory Council shall file with the Minister, not later than the first day of June in each year, an annual report on the affairs of the Advisory Council for the previous year.
(9) The Minister shall lay the report of the Advisory Council before Parliament.