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Health & Safety Committee Quick Help Guide

What is a joint health and safety committee?

Occupational Health and Safety Committees may described by different titles, including  joint health and safety committees, industrial health and safety committees, joint work site health and safety committees, occupational health committees, workplace safety and health committees, or health and safety committees.  In a nutshell, the Joint Health and Safety committee (JHSC) is a means for bringing the internal responsibility system into practice. This committee consists of labour and management representatives who meet on a regular basis to deal with health and safety issues. The joint committee brings in-depth practical knowledge of specific tasks (labour) and company policies and procedures together.  The Joint Health and Safety Committee is usually instrumental in bringing together cooperation between the various areas of the work force toward solving health and safety problems. In smaller companies with fewer than a specified number of employees, a health and safety representative is generally required. Consult health and safety legislation applicable to your workplace for details.
 

Who is required to have a joint health and safety committee?

Most Canadian Health and Safety Legislations detail the requirements of a Health & Safety Committee within workplaces.  They set the guidelines for organizing the committee, the structure of the committee, meeting frequency, and the roles and responsibilities of committee members.  Employers are responsible for ensuring that they meet these requirements.
 

What is the role and responsibility of a joint health and safety committee?

The Joint Health & Safety Committee is required to:
  • Develop and implement programs to protect the employees' safety and health
  • Deal with employee complaints and concerns about their health & safety program
  • Ensure that the injury and work hazard records are maintained and kept up to date
  • Monitor and follow-up hazard reports and recommend action to resolve the issue
  • Set up and promote programs to improve employee training and education
  • Participate in all safety and health inquiries and investigations
  • Consult with professional and technical experts in the areas of Health & Safety
  • Participate in resolving workplace refusals and work stoppages
  • Make recommendations to management for accident prevention and safety program activities
  • Monitor effectiveness of safety programs and procedures.
     

Is a committee or a representative required by law?

A Joint Health and Safety Committee or a Health & Safety Representative is either mandatory or subject to ministerial decision in Canada. Certain types of workplaces may be exempt from this requirement, depending on the size of work force, industry, accident record, or some combination of these factors. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the guidelines required for your province and your type of workplace.

Health & Safety Committee Requirements:

Provinces When is a committee required? Minimum Size Member Requirements
National Mandatory for workplaces of 20 or more employees
  • 2
 50% of the members must represent the employees
British Columbia Mandatory for workplaces of 20 or more employees or when required by an order
  • 4
 50% of the members must represent the employees
Alberta As required by the Minister
  • 3 (to a maximum of 12)
 At least two employees and one employer or 50% employees
Saskatchewan Mandatory for workplaces of 10 or more employees
  • 2 (to a maximum of 12)
 50% of the members must be employees
Manitoba Mandatory for workplaces of 20 or more employees as required by the Lt. Governor
  • 4 (to a maximum of 12)
 50% of the members must be employees
Ontario Mandatory for workplaces of 20 or more employees or by order of the Minister or where designated substances are in use
  • 2 (up to 50 employees)
  • 4 (over 50 employees)
 50% of the members must be employees
Quebec Mandatory for workplaces of 20 or more employees or in regulated workplaces
  • 4
 50% of the members must be employees
New Brunswick Mandatory for workplaces of 20 or more employees
  • As agreed between employer and employees
 Equal representation
Nova Scotia Mandatory for workplaces of 20 or more employees
  • As agreed between employer and employees
 50% of the members must be employees
Prince Edward Island Mandatory for workplaces of 20 or more employees
  • As agreed between employer and employees
 50% of the members must be employees
Newfoundland Discretionary requirement for workplaces of 10 or more employees
  • 2 (to a maximum of 12)
 50% of the members must be employees
Yukon Mandatory for workplaces of 20 or more employees
  • 4 (to a maximum of 12)
 50% of the members must be employees
Northwest Territories As required by the Chief Safety Officer
  • Not specified
 Equal representation

Legislations:

Canada - Canada Labour Code, Part II (R.S.C. 1985, C. L-2), Sections 135 to 137

British Columbia - Workers Compensation Act, (R.S.B.C. 1996 as amended) Part 3, Division 4, Sections 125 to 140

Alberta - Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.A. 1980, c. O-2 as amended), Section 31 and the Occupational Health and Safety Code (October 2003) Part 13 Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committee, Sections 196 to 207

Saskatchewan - Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (S.S. 1993, c. O-1.1), Part III Sections 15 to 22 (Called: Occupational Heath Committee)

Manitoba - Workplace Safety and Health Act (R.S.M. 1987, c. W210), Section 40. (Called: Workplace safety and health committees)

Ontario - Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1), Section 9(2)

Quebec (English language legislation) - Act respecting Occupational Health and Safety (R.S.Q., c. S-2.1), Chapter IV, Sections 68 to 86 and the Regulation respecting health and safety committees (R.R.Q. 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6.1, O.C. 2025-83) (Called: Health and Safety Committees)

New Brunswick - Occupational Health and Safety Act (A.N.B. 1983, c. O-0.2), Sections 14 to 18

Nova Scotia - Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.N.S. 1996, c. 7), Sections 29 to 32

Prince Edward Island - Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.P.E.I. 2004, c. 42), Section 25

Newfoundland - Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.N. 1990, c. O-3), Sections 37 to 40 (Called: Health and Safety Committees)

Yukon Territory - Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.Y. 1986, c. 123), Section2 12 & 13

Northwest Territories - Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1), Section 7 (Called: Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committee)

Nunavut - Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1), Section 7 (Called: Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committee)
 

Note: This information is offered as information only and is designed to promote Health & Safety in the workplace and the community.  It is subject to change.
 

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