The Campaign for McMaster UniversityThe Campaign for McMaster University

Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services and

Central Joint Health and Safety Committee

Developed from Core Certification Materials and OHSA

Orientation for JHSC Members

Gilmour Hall 304, ext. 24352

Describe the purpose of the JHSC and the Internal

Responsibility System (IRS)

Describe the legislative requirements of rights,

duties, responsibilities, and functions

Describe the elements of an effective JHSC

List and describe strategies for the JHSC to

promote their activities and activities in the

workplace

The Campaign for McMaster University

Objectives

The Campaign for McMaster University

OH&S Act

Provincial governed legislation

Prescriptive Regulations

Specific requirements for JHSC

o Section 9 (xx)

Establishment of a JHSC

9(4) The constructor or employer shall cause a joint

health and safety committee to be established and

maintained in the workplace

Joint Health and Safety Committees

To make recommendations for the reduction of

accidents, injuries, illness, and disease in the

workplace

Powers and Opportunity

This is your opportunity to bring solutions to the table

– an opportunity to work with people to resolve

issues by mutual agreement

Response to Recommendations

9(20) An employer who receives written

recommendations from a committee shall respond in

writing within twenty-one days

9(21) A response shall contain a timetable for

implementation or give reasons why the employer

does not agree with and recommendations

(paraphrased)

Powers of a Committee

9(18) It is the function of a committee to:

o Identify situations that are a source of danger

o Make recommendations to the employer

o Recommend the establishment of programs

o Obtain information about hazards

o Obtain information about tests and monitoring

o Be consulted about the commencement of testing or

monitoring

Requirements for H&S Rep or JHSC

1-5 Workers

o No H&S representative

o No JHSC

6-19 Workers

o 1 H&S representative

20-49 Workers

o 2 person committee: one

worker, one management

50+ Workers

o 4 person committee: two

workers, two management

Selection of Worker Members

The members of a committee who represent

workers shall be selected by the workers they are to

represent or, if a trade union or unions represent the

workers, by the trade union or unions

Selection of Co-Chairs

Two of the members of a committee shall co-chair

the committee, one of whom shall be selected by the

members who represent workers and the other of

whom shall be selected by the members who

exercise managerial functions

Meetings

A committee shall meet at least once every three

months at the workplace…

Minutes of Proceedings

The committee should decide if the work of secretary can

be handled within the committee or if a request should be

made for a non-member secretary to be provided

Minutes should specifically highlight all formal

recommendations for which management response is

sought

Minutes must be available for review and filed with

EOHSS for distribution to the Central JHSC

Entitlement to Time and Pay

9(34) A member of a committee is entitled to:

o One hour preparation time before committee meetings

o Time to attend meetings

o Time as necessary to carry out duties under 9(26),

9(27), and 9(31)

McMaster Policy on JHSC’s

Review Policies:

RMM 104 – Central JHSC

RMM 105 – Faculty / Department JHSC’s

Terms of Reference

Committees may be defined by the Act, or by University policy

In addition, each JHSC should define for itself:

o Reporting accountability

o Meeting and inspection schedules

o Quorum and voting procedures

o Terms of office and method of chairing meetings

o Rules of order

o Attendance by non-members

Functions of a JHSC

Identify sources of danger or hazards

Make written recommendations

Obtain information on hazards

Obtain information on testing

Inspect the workplace once per month

Assist workers who refuse for H&S reasons

Inspections

9(23) The members of a committee who represent

workers shall designate one of their number to

inspect the physical condition of the workplace

(paraphrased)

McMaster University encourages inspectors to

include administrative and procedural audit during

workplace inspection

Inspections

Inspections of all work areas must occur at least once per

year (the university has committees doing inspections every month and

thereby fulfills the legal requirements for monthly inspection in part of the

workplace)

Inspection responsibilities should be assigned to specific

personnel and scheduled in advance

Areas with significant or special risks should be inspected

more frequently (this is a discussion and decision that should be made by

the committee)

Requirements for Certified Members

Unless otherwise prescribed, an employer shall

ensure that at least one member of the committee

representing the employer and one member

representing workers are certified members

Part 2 – Workplace Specific

The JHSC should discuss and arrive at consensus

about what areas of special training, not covered in

basic certification, that are necessary for the certified

members to be knowledgeable in the specific risks

associated with the area of responsibility of the

committee

This list of special training becomes the required

training to maintain status as certified members

Certified Members

Under “dangerous circumstances” the two certified

members may institute a bilateral work stoppage

Worker member may as for a Ministry declaration

If a declaration is made, the worker member may

institute a unilateral work stoppage

9(18f) Be present at the commencement of testing

or monitoring if required to ensure validity

Interaction with MOL Inspector

MOL workplace inspections

Investigation of complaints

Investigation of work refusals

Investigation of work stoppages

Investigation of serious accidents

Interaction with Consultants

Air monitoring

Substance testing

Hazard analysis

Medical testing

Medical monitoring

Strategies for effective meetings

Publish an agenda in advance of meeting with new business

discussion items submitted by members or the co-chairs

Free and open discussion should be encouraged

Neither management nor labour should monopolize the meeting or

the agenda

Attempt to arrive at all decisions by consensus rather than by

voting

Invite appropriate outside specialists to provide guidance to the

committee

More Strategies

All recommendations going to management for further

action should be expressed as motions before the

committee and highlighted in the minutes by a distinctive

font

A cover note should be signed by the co-chairs and

addressed to the Dean or Director to whom the

committee reports, advising that there are

recommendations that require his/her attention

Further Strategies

The Dean or Director to whom the committee reports

should be invited to attend at least one meeting per

year

Un-Resolved Items

If, after a reasonable time has elapsed, management has

failed to resolve an issue or answer a recommendation,

the issue or the recommendation may be referred to the

Central JHSC

The Central JHSC should be advised formally, by memo

to EOHSS

EOHSS, with concurrence of the CJHSC chair, will put

the item of the agenda for the next scheduled meeting