Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) is built on the principle that workers and employers must work together to identify and resolve health and safety problems in the workplace. To meet this goal, joint health and safety committees are required by law in many Ontario workplaces.

A joint health and safety committee is an advisory group required under section 9 of the Act. The committee is made up of management and worker representatives who work together to identify health and safety problems in the workplace and recommend solutions. Members meet regularly to identify hazards in the workplace, make recommendations to the employer and follow-up on progress made.   

Joint committees are generally required in workplaces where:

• 20 or more workers are regularly employed; or
• a toxic substance order applies; or
• a designated substance regulation applies (e.g., a regulation for lead or isocyanates)

Workplaces with fewer than 20 workers may be required to have a health and safety representative, not a committee.

Committees must be comprised of at least two persons in workplaces where there are fewer than 50 workers and must have four members where there are more than 50 workers.  At least half of the committee members must be workers who do not exercise managerial functions and they must be selected by the workers or trade union.  The remaining members are to be selected by the employer from among persons who exercise managerial functions.

At least one worker and one management representative must be certified.  A certified member is a worker or management committee member who has received special training in occupational health and safety and has been certified by the WSIB.  Among other things these individuals have the power to stop work in specific circumstances and to investigate complaints that dangerous circumstances exist. 

Worker members are also required to inspect the workplace at least once a month, investigate accidents where there is a critical injury or death, represent a worker during a work refusal, accompany a Ministry of Labour inspector during an inspection of the workplace, and be present at the start of safety or industrial hygiene tests.

A variety of information, products and services related to joint health and safety committees is available to assist you.

Web Resources

Visit our Free Downloads section for forms, publications, tools and other resources including the following:

Joint Health and Safety Committee resources:

• Determining Significant Hazards at Work, A Guide for Employers and JHSCs
• H&S Fastfacts: Joint Health and Safety Committees
• Meeting Agenda Form
• Meeting Minutes Recording Form
• Notice Board Sheet
• Notice of Recommendations Form

Certification Training resources:

• Determining Significant Hazards at Work, A Guide for Employers and JHSCs
• Health and Safety Action Plan Form
• Machinery / Equipment Inventory Form
• WHMIS Inventory Form
• Workplace Hazard Assessment Form

Training

Our comprehensive portfolio of health and safety training solutions includes:

• Certification Training – Parts I and II
• Safety Health and the Law
• Inspecting Your Workplace

Products / Self Study

• Joint Health and Safety Committee Kit
  A must-have kit for joint health and safety committees offering a wide variety of information and tools including a video that exemplifies co-operation, team effort, a positive attitude and open communication to help a committee work effectively.
  
  
• Inspecting Physical Conditions, Guidelines for Setting Standards
  This text provides guidelines for workplace conditions, equipment hazard controls and more. It is based on current legal requirements and standards set by recognized authorities such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), as well as on generally accepted work practices and helps committee members meet their responsibilities for workplace inspection.
  
  
• e-Learning Training
  Increasingly, workplaces are turning to health and safety e-learning as a complement to other learning methods, such as classroom instruction, and conferences and workshops.
  
  All you need is a computer, access to the Internet - and you are ready to go! IAPA e-learning course offerings are designed to help you learn at your own pace and in your own environment at your own convenience.
  • Joint Health and Safety Committees in Ontario
  • Health and Safety Committees (English)
  • Health and Safety Committees (French)
  • Complete listing of e-Learning programs

Consulting Services

Our consultants work together with clients to identify and assess health and safety needs based on the client’s readiness and capacity. General Consulting Services include:

• Assisting with development of a basic health and safety program
• Providing health and safety information
• Identifying and facilitating solutions
• Assessing training needs

Conferences & Events

Our health and safety conferences throughout Ontario provide excellent opportunities for networking and learning on lifting devices and other key topics. Visit Partners in Prevention 2010 Ontario Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show and the Conferences & Trade Shows section for more information.

Partner Sites

Farm Safety Association (FSA) - FSA provides health & safety information, resources and assistance to firms within the agricultural, horticultural and landscaping industries. Click the link to access their website for more information.

Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) - OSSA provides health & safety information, resources and assistance to firms within the service sector. Click the link to access their website for more information.