While it’s fairly common knowledge that any company with more than 20 regular employees is required by law to have Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) in place and performing their duties, but what some do not understand is the fact that a JHSC can have non certified members sit alongside their certified members.
A company with 20-49 regular workers requires 1 management and 1 worker rep, both of who must be certified. A company with 50+ regular workers must have 2 management and 2 worker reps on the committee, half must be certified.
The JHSC plays a very important role in keeping the workplace safe for its workers, and as such most committees will have more than just the minimum requirements of 2 or 4 members.
The full JHSC Certification is done in two parts, Part 1 Basic and Past 2 Workplace Specific. For a member to become a fully certified, it will take 5 days in total.
One option to have more members on the committee is to have non certified members sit on the committee beside the certified members. Non certified members of a committee provide the much needed support to the certified members.
While there is no legislated training requirement for non certified members of a JHSC, it’s considered best practice if the non certified members complete some sort of training so they are familiar with;
- The Occupational Health & Safety Act (OH&S Act)
- Internal Responsibility System (IRS)
- Responsibilities of a JHSC
- Workplace inspections
- Hazard assessment
- Accident/Incident investigation
- and much much more
One of the best options to train all non certified members is to have them complete a 1 day Health & Safety Representative (H&S Rep) training. This course is basically the three days of the JHSC Part 1 course that is compressed into 1 full day learning.
While time and monetary constraints on a company may prevent them from having additional certified members on their committee, you as a company are showing your due diligence by having non certified members formerly trained to ensure that your committee runs smoothly.
After non certified members complete the H&S Rep course they will have the knowledge and confidence to be a supportive, contributing member of any committee, which will only enhance your workplace safety.
The Health & Safety Representative training includes:
- Objectives and introduction
- Internal Responsibility System
- Full review of the legislated requirements under the Occupational Health & Safety Act of each workplace party (workers, supervisors, employers)
- Concept of Due Diligence
- Powers & function of JHSC under S.9 OH&S Act
- Recognizing, Assessing, Controlling and Evaluating Hazards
- Workplace Inspections
- Incident / Accident Investigations
- Making your JHSC run smoothly
- Guide to effective JHSC meetings (agenda, minutes, process)
- Work Refusal Process (Worker, Bilateral, Unilateral)
- Rights and responsibilities of all workplaces parties for health & safety
- Report Writing / Written Recommendations
- Where to get more help
- MOL, WSIB reporting requirements
- Functions of MOL, MOL Inspectors, WSIB, OLRB
- Criminal Negligence
The goal and commitment for this course is to supply participants with the tools and information to become effective Health & Safety Representatives and JHSC members in their workplaces.
To register for the H&S Rep course please click here or contact our office.