What are Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs), and where are they required?
A JHSC is a committee of at least two persons, who represent the workers and the employer at a workplace. Their primary role is to identify workplace health and safety problems and bring them to the attention of the employer. Section 9 of OHSA requires a JHSC at: • Any workplace that regularly employs 20 or more workers; • Construction projects expected to last three months or longer with 20 or more workers; • Any workplace (other than a construction project) to which a designated substance regulation applies; • Any workplace where an order has been issued under OHSA section 33, dealing with toxic substances; and • Any workplace where the Minister of Labour orders one to be established. Workplaces with more than five but less than 20 workers are not usually required to have a JHSC. Instead, workers must select a person from among themselves to be a health and safety representative. The Ministry of Labour has published A Guide for Joint Health and Safety Committees and Representatives i
A JHSC is a committee of at least two persons, who represent the workers and the employer at a workplace. Their primary role is to identify workplace health and safety problems and bring them to the attention of the employer. Section 9 of OHSA requires a JHSC at: • Any workplace that regularly employs 20 or more workers; • Construction projects expected to last three months or longer with 20 or more workers; • Any workplace (other than a construction project) to which a designated substance regulation applies; • Any workplace where an order has been issued under OHSA section 33, dealing with toxic substances; and • Any workplace where the Minister of Labour orders one to be established. Workplaces with more than five but less than 20 workers are not usually required to have a JHSC. Instead, workers must select a person from among themselves to be a health and safety representative.
