What is a joint health and safety committee?

Occupational Health and Safety Committees may described by different titles, including joint health and safety committees, industrial health and safety committees, joint work site health and safety committees, occupational health committees, workplace safety and health committees, or health and safety committees. In a nutshell, the Joint Health and Safety committee (JHSC) is a means for bringing the internal responsibility system into practice. This committee consists of labour and management representatives who meet on a regular basis to deal with health and safety issues. The joint committee brings in-depth practical knowledge of specific tasks (labour) and company policies and procedures together. The Joint Health and Safety Committee is usually instrumental in bringing together cooperation between the various areas of the work force toward solving health and safety problems. In smaller companies with fewer than a specified number of employees, a health and safety representative is generally required. Consult health and safety legislation applicable to your workplace for details.

Who is required to have a joint health and safety committee?

Most Canadian Health and Safety Legislations detail the requirements of a Health & Safety Committee within workplaces. They set the guidelines for organizing the committee, the structure of the committee, meeting frequency, and the roles and responsibilities of committee members. Employers are responsible for ensuring that they meet these requirements.

Is a committee or a representative required by law?

A Joint Health and Safety Committee or a Health & Safety Representative is either mandatory or subject to ministerial decision in Canada. Certain types of workplaces may be exempt from this requirement, depending on the size of work force, industry, accident record, or some combination of these factors. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the guidelines required for your province and your type of workplace.

All Ontario workplaces with Joint Health & Safety Committees require Joint Health & Safety Level 1 and 2 training.  Click here for further information.

Click here for the role and responsibility of a joint health and safety committee

Click here for Provincial Requirements