Health and Safety Health and Safety Committees Committees

RENZO BERTOLINI

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Health and Safety CommitteeHealth and Safety Committee

A health and safety committee is a joint worker-management team

that assists the employer in creating and maintaining a safe

workplace. The goal of the committee is to enhance the

ability of workers and employers to resolve safety and health

concerns reasonably and co-operatively.

HEALTH AND SAFETY LAWHEALTH AND SAFETY LAW

Employee and Employer Jointly Responsible

Employer Accountable for Non-Compliance

PHILOSOPHY OF OHS LAWPHILOSOPHY OF OHS LAW Internal Responsibility SystemInternal Responsibility SystemRecognizes

– you know your work Best– Safety is Work

Promotes – Self Reliance– Safety Culture– Best Practice– Sharing Responsibility

Conforms with Modern Standards

Rights Of WorkersRights Of WorkersThree Important RightsThree Important Rights

Right to know

Right to participate

Right to refuse unsafe work

Responsibilities of JHSCResponsibilities of JHSC Recognize Workplace Hazards. Evaluate the Risk of Accidents, Injuries and

Illness. Develop a Prevention Program Implement the Program. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Program. Recommend Changes for Continuos

Improvements.

Accountability of JHSCAccountability of JHSC

The committee’s role is to make recommendations for action to prevent accidents,injuries and

illness.The authority for action and hence the accountability for non-

compliance,stays with the employer/management.

Establishing a JHSCEstablishing a JHSC The employer is responsible for establishing a

committee. In most Canadian jurisdictions legislation sets guidelines for :

The Organization and Structure of the Committee

Meeting Frequency Roles and Responsibilities of Committee

Members.

Terms of Reference for JHSCTerms of Reference for JHSC Employers establish terms of reference applicable

to the formation,structure and functioning of the committee in their workplace.Such terms of reference must ensure:

Compliance with Legislation Effectiveness of the Committee in Meeting

Workplace Specific Needs Widest Possible Employee Involvement Provision of Resources, Equipment, Facilities

Tips for Establishing Terms of Tips for Establishing Terms of Reference JHSCReference JHSC

State Senior Management Commitment Define term of Service for Com.Members Establish Committee Member Selection

Procedure Specify Duties & Responsibilities of co-

chairpersons Provide for Appropriate Training of

Committee Members

Terms of Reference Terms of Reference Cont..Cont..

Seek the Committee’s Advice on the Health and Safety Process

Require JHSC to Make Recommendations Based on Objective Evidence such as New Information,Incidence Rates,Legislative Requirements,Employee Health Conditions

State that the Role of JHSC is to Make Recommendations to Management

Terms of ReferenceTerms of ReferenceCont.Cont.

Provide the Committee Resources to do their Work

Establish Guidelines for Reporting and Follow-Up Procedures

Review Terms of Reference PeriodicallyEstablish Procedures and Conditions for

Dismissal of Committee Members

Is a JHSC Required by Law ?Is a JHSC Required by Law ?

In general, a committee is required if the number of employees exceeds a certain number-20 in most jurisdictions and 10 in some.The appointment of a worker representative is required when the number of employees is less than needed for a committee but more than a minimum set by the law-5 in some jurisdictions.

How are JHSC Members How are JHSC Members Appointed ?Appointed ?

Typically,management members are appointed by the employer.In a unionized workplace,employee members are selected by the union.If not specified in the legislation,selection is to be made according to the terms of reference developed by your workplace.

How are Committee Members How are Committee Members Appointed Cont.Appointed Cont.

The legislation generally states that a committee must :Be composed of at least one-half worker representatives Meet regularly.Be co-chaired by a manager and an employee member of the committee.

•How many People Should be How many People Should be on a JHSC ?on a JHSC ? The legislation or collective agreement may

specify the number of committee members. In deciding the committee size,consider these factors :

Total number of employees Number of different trades or unions Complexity and hazardous nature of work Knowledge of conditions,processes

•Do Members Need to be Do Members Need to be Trained or Certified in OH&S ?Trained or Certified in OH&S ? Members should be adequately trained in

health and safety in order to contribute fully to all committees activities.In some jurisdictions,safety training or certification is required by law for employer and employee members.

Training may cover the following aspects : Committee responsibilities/authority

•Do Members Need to be Do Members Need to be Trained or Certified in OH&S Trained or Certified in OH&S

Cont.Cont. Occupational health and safety law Hazards recognition and control methods Job safety analysis Occupational hygiene Methods of raising safety awareness Workplace inspections Accident investigation Effective oral communication

Making the JHSC Effective Making the JHSC Effective and Efficientand Efficient

Demonstrating Management Commitment

Defining Roles,Responsibilities and Procedures

Establishing Procedures and Guidelines for Committee Meetings

Measuring the Effectiveness and Efficiency of a Committee

Demonstrating Management Demonstrating Management CommitmentCommitment

A policy is a statement of management’s commitment to health and safety.It states the principles and general rules that will serve as guide for action.The policy should state :

Management’s commitment to protect the safety and health of employees.

Demonstrating Management Demonstrating Management Commitment Cont..Commitment Cont..

The organization’s basic health and safety philosophy

Accountability for occupational health and safety programs

Roles and responsibilities of JHSCThe general responsibilities of all

employees

Defining RolesDefining Roles

The JHSC’s role is to recommend action.Management has the authority and resources to take an action.Employers,managers and supervisors are responsible for the health and safety of employees and are personally accountable for non-compliance

Defining ResponsibilitiesDefining ResponsibilitiesCarry out /participate in workplace

inspectionsParticipate in accident investigationsParticipate in resolving work refusal

casesMonitor compliance with regulationsHold regular meetings

Defining ProceduresDefining Procedures

The committee reports its recommendations to an individual within management.This person must be fully knowledgeable about the committees duties, and about health and safety issues.It is necessary to appoint a specific person to ensure proper follow-up on recommendations.The best choice is usually a member of senior management.

Establishing Procedures for Establishing Procedures for JHSC MeetingsJHSC Meetings

The success of the JHSC depends on the conduct of regular and efficient meetings.

Meeting frequency.Attendance policy.Reaching decisions at meetings.Recommendation for action.Keeping minutes.

Measuring the Effectiveness Measuring the Effectiveness and Efficiency of JHSCand Efficiency of JHSC

Management supportUnion supportEmployees support

Recognizing Workplace Recognizing Workplace HazardsHazards

JHSC responsibilitiesTypes of hazardsMethods of hazard recognitionHazard reportingWorkplace inspection

Accident InvestigationAccident InvestigationThe accident investigation processDetermining the cause(s)Recommendations

Joint Health and Safety Joint Health and Safety CommitteeCommittee

Equal employer-employee membersDeal with worker h&s concernsParticipate in identifying risks Recommend changesDevelop and promote health and safety

information,training

Where to get OH&S Where to get OH&S InformationInformation

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Inquiry Service

Phone(905)572-4400

Fax(905)572-4500

E-mail:inquiries@ccohs.ca

OSH Answers Web Site:

www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers