How are members on the committee selected?Health and safety committee consists of worker (employee) and management members. Health and safety legislation specifies how the members on the committee are to be selected. Consult the legislation applicable to your workplace. Generally, the management members are selected by the management (employer). The worker members are selected by employees or by the union (if there is one).
Note: In Canada the name of the health and safety committee varies from one jurisdiction to another (see table below). In the following sections we will refer to them as "Joint Health and Safety Committee".
Jurisdiction | Title of Health and Safety Committee |
| Canada: Federal | Workplace health and safety committee |
| Alberta | Joint work site health and safety committee |
| British Columbia | Joint health and safety committee |
| Manitoba | Workplace safety and health committee |
| New Brunswick | Joint health and safety committee |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Occupational health and safety committee |
| Northwest Territories | Joint work site health and safety committee |
| Nova Scotia | Joint occupational health and safety committee |
| Nunavut | Joint work site health and safety committee |
| Ontario | Joint health and safety committee |
| Prince Edward Island | Joint occupational health and safety committee |
| Quebec | Health and safety committees |
| Saskatchewan | Occupational health committee |
| Yukon | Joint health and safety committee |
The laws typically state that there should not be more management members on the committee than labour members.
How do I know if the members on the committee are representative of the workplace?The legislation or collective agreement may specify a minimum and/or maximum number of members usually dependent on the number of workers at the site. Too few workers may mean that all segments of the work force are not represented, while too many members may make the committee hard to manage, resulting in more debate and less action. In deciding the ideal committee size, consider:
- total number of workers
- number of different trades or unions involved
- complexity of the operation
- degree of hazard in work
- whether all segments of work force are represented (management, supervisors, male workers, female workers, office staff)
- whether the committee encompasses adequate knowledge of conditions, processes, practices.
Are members trained or certified in health and safety?Members should be adequately trained in health and safety in order for them to contribute fully to all committee activities. In some jurisdictions, safety training or certification is required by law for employer and worker members. Items in such training should include:
- committee responsibilities/authority
- occupational health and safety law
- principles of accident causation
- hazard recognition
- job safety analysis
- industrial hygiene
- methods of raising safety awareness
- inspections
- accident investigation
- effective oral communication
Health and Safety Committee: Training Requirements |
Jurisdiction | Health and Safety Committee Training Requirement | Reference to OHS Legislation |
| Canada, Federal | "ensure that members of policy and work place committees and health and safety representatives receive the prescribed training." | Canada Labour Code, Part II (R.S.C. 1985, c. L-Z) Section 125 (z.01) |
| British Columbia | "Each member of a joint committee is entitled to an annual educational leave totalling 8 hours, or a longer period if prescribed by regulation, for the purposes of attending occupational health and safety training courses conducted by or with the approval of the Board." | Workers Compensation Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 492) Section 135 (1) |
| Alberta | " establish and maintain educational programs regarding the health and safety of workers at or on the work site, and carry out those duties and functions provided for by the adopted code." | Occupational Health And Safety Act (R.S.A. 2000, c. 0-2) Section 31 (l) (c), (d) |
| Saskatchewan | ".. an employer shall ensure that the representative receives training respecting the duties and functions of a representative. " " .. an employer or contractor shall ensure that the co-chairpersons of the committee receive training respecting the duties and functions of a committee" | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 (R.R.S., c. O-1, r. 1) Section 46 (1, 2) |
| Manitoba | "every employer, ... shall allow each member of the committee, the safety and health representative, or their respective designates, to take educational leave each year for the number of hours the worker normally works during two normal working days... " | Workplace Safety And Health Act (R.S.M. 1987, c. W210) Section 44 (1) |
| Ontario | "Unless otherwise prescribed, a constructor or employer shall ensure that at least one member of the committee representing the constructor or employer and at least one member representing workers are certified members." | Occupational Health And Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990, c.0.1) Section 9 (12) |
| Quebec | "to participate in training programmes of such content and duration as are approved by the Commission. Registration, travel and accommodation expenses are borne by the Commission, in accordance with the regulations" | Act respecting occupational health And safety (R.S.Q., c. S-2.1) Section 91 |
| New Brunswick | "The employer at a place of employment, in consultation with members of the committee at the place of employment, shall grant to the committee members the necessary leave to be trained in the duties and responsibilities of a committee member." | Occupational Health And Safety Act (A.N.B. 1983, c.0-0.2) Section 14 (11) |
| Nova Scotia | "An employee who is a member of a committee is entitled to such time off from work as is necessary to attend meetings of the committee, to take any training prescribed by the regulations and to carry out the employee's functions as a member of the committee, and such time off is deemed to be work time for which the employee shall be paid by the employer at the applicable rate." | Occupational Health And Safety Act (S.N.S. 1996, c.7) Section 30 (6) |
| Prince Edward Island | "A worker who is a member of a committee is entitled to take the necessary time off from work to attend meetings of the committee, to take training prescribed by the regulations and to carry out the worker's functions as a member of the committee". | Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.P.E.I. 2004, c.42) Section 25 (10) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | "Where 50 or more workers are employed at a workplace, the employer shall provide and pay for training for the members of the occupational health and safety committee at the workplace." | Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.N.L. 1990, c. O-3) Section 38.1 (1, 2) |
| Yukon | "Where 10 to 49 workers are employed at a workplace, the employer shall provide and pay for training for the co-chairpersons of the occupational health and safety committee at the workplace." | Occupational Health And Safety Act (R.S.Y. 2002, c. 159) Section 14 |
| Northwest Territories | "The employer shall orientate joint health and safety committee co-chairs and health and safety representatives to their functions and duties within 90 days of their selection and shall permit them to participate in a training course offered or designated by the director as soon as such a course is available to them after their selection. Time spent by the employees in the orientation and the course shall be deemed to be regular working hours." | Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1) Section 21 (a) |
| Nunavut | "The Board (Workers' Compensation Board) may: (a) develop and promote safety education programs..." "The Board (Workers' Compensation Board) may: (a) develop and promote safety education programs...?" | Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1) Section 21 (a, b) |
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Do members have to have relevant work experience and/or training?Priority might be given to workers with varied work backgrounds and to those involved in the hazardous and complex operations. Workers with long service in the industry will usually have greater appreciation of the overall work carried out and its associated safety problems, and they should therefore be able to contribute more to health and safety committee activities. On the other hand, selection of individuals who have developed bad work habits and tendency to resist change might be avoided.
The joint health and safety committee members may be required to conduct regular inspections of the workplace. People who have undertaken special safety training are particularly qualified (i.e. "certified") to recognize workplace hazards.
Staff with safety-related duties, such as the fire marshal, plant nurse, or industrial hygienist might serve as resource people to help with matters specific to their expertise.
How long does one person serve on the JHSC?In some Canadian jurisdictions, the "term of office" is specified. Where it is not specified, the term of office should be specified in the terms of reference for your committee. The term of office should strike a balance between a short term where a large number of people are introduced to the JHSC and safety and too long when enthusiasm may fade. No matter how long the term is, a staggered rotation is suggested so that new members come in while others continue such that no more than one half of the committee is "new" at any given time.
Jurisdiction | Requirement |
| Canada Labour Code Part II | (14) Subject to subsections 134.1(7) and 135(10) and any regulations made under subsection 135.2(1), a committee shall establish its own rules of procedure in respect of the terms of office, not exceeding two years, of its members and the time, place and frequency of regular meetings of the committee and may establish any rules of procedure for its operation that it considers advisable. Section 135.2 Regulations135.2 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations (a) specifying the qualifications and terms of office of members of a committee;
(b) specifying the time and place of regular meetings of a committee;
(c) specifying the method of selecting employee members of a committee if employees are not represented by a trade union;
(d) specifying the method of selecting the chairpersons of a committee and their terms of office; Section 136 Appointment of health and safety representative 136. (1) Every employer shall, for each work place controlled by the employer at which fewer than twenty employees are normally employed or for which an employer is not required to establish a work place committee, appoint the person selected in accordance with subsection (2) as the health and safety representative for that work place. (11) The Governor in Council may make regulations specifying (a) the qualifications and term of office of a health and safety representative; |
Alberta
Occupational Health and Safety Code | 198. (1) Members of a joint work site health and safety committee hold office for a term of not less than 1 year and may continue to hold office until their successors are elected or appointed. (2) Members of a joint work site health and safety committee may be reelected or re-appointed for further terms. |
BC
Workers Compensation Act | 131. (1) Subject to this Part and the regulations, a joint committee must establish its own rules of procedure, including rules respecting how it is to perform its duties and functions. |
Manitoba
Code of Practice for Workplace Safety and Health Committees: A Guide to Organization, Functions and Procedures | Part III Formation of Safety & Health Committees
Section 7 Term of Office
The term of office of Committee members shall normally be one year. Members are eligible for re-election. Vacancies shall be filled in accordance with section 6. Each member shall hold office until his successor is selected. |
Newfoundland and Labrador
Occupational Health and Safety Act | No specific reference to length of office/renewal of term |
| New Brunswick | No specific reference to length of office/renewal of term |
| Northwest Territories | No specific reference to length of office/renewal of term |
Nova Scotia
Occupational Health and Safety Act | (7) A committee shall establish its own rules of procedure and shall adhere to the applicable regulations. (9) The rules of procedure established pursuant to subsection (7) shall include an annual determination of the method of selecting the person or persons who shall (a) chair the committee; and
(b) hold the position of chair for the coming year. (10) Where agreement is not reached on (a) the size of the committee;
(b) the designation of employees to be members; or
(c) rules of procedure, |
| Nunavut | No specific reference to length of office/renewal of term |
Ontario
Guide for Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs) and Representatives in the Workplace | A term of at least one year is recommended. Where there is more than one worker member and one employer member, terms should be staggered to allow continuity. Vacancies should be filled as quickly as possible. |
PEI
Occupational Health and Safety Act | Section 25 Joint occupational health and safety committee(12) A committee shall establish its own rules of procedure. |
Quebec
Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety | Section 29
29. The workers' and employer's representatives on a committee shall perform their duties as long the employer, the certified association or the group of workers not represented by the certified association that appointed them remains authorized to do so and as long as they have not been replaced by the latter. |
| SaskatchewanOccupational Health and Safety Regulations | 39. (1) An employer or contractor who is required to establish a committee shall: (a) in designating the members: (i) select persons to represent the employer or contractor on the committee; and
(ii) ensure that there is a sufficient number of members representing workers on the committee to equitably represent groups of workers who have substantially different occupational health and safety concerns; and (b) designate members for a term not exceeding three years. (2) Members of a committee hold office until a successor is designated, and may be re-designated for a second or subsequent term. |
| Yukon | No specific reference to length of office/renewal of term |
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What is the safety coordinator's role with the JHSC?The functions of the safety coordinator and the health and safety committee are closely intertwined, and their relationship must be clearly defined to prevent misunderstanding and conflict. It would seem logical that the safety coordinator should attend every committee meeting, but his/her role at these meetings may be that of resource person, advisor, or guest. Whatever that role is, the committee should not be controlled (or seen as controlled) by the safety coordinator.
Can there be more than one committee at a workplace?Depending on the number of workers, complexity of operations, or different locations, it may be appropriate to have more than one committee. In very large organizations, a tiered system of committees with a hierarchical reporting arrangement may be in place. The Policy Health and Safety Committee in the Federal jurisdiction plays this role. This structure has the advantage of assuring full representation without too many members on a single committee.
Are members compensated for time spent on health and safety committee activities?A committee member is entitled to take time off from his/her regular work duties in order to carry out committee related responsibilities. In some jurisdictions, this is a legislated right and includes time allocation to prepare for the meeting, the meeting itself, and any related activities (such as workplace inspections). With shiftwork, this provision is especially important to ensure full attendance at meetings and that all committee tasks are carried out.
Can the employer take discriminatory action against a committee member?Reprisals against a health and safety committee member is against the law. An employer, any person acting on behalf of the employer, or any union cannot take discriminatory action against any worker because that person participates in the functions of the committee.
Is there a need to post and maintain records/documents of the meetings?Minutes of all health and safety committee meetings are required. Some jurisdictions may require the use of specific forms. Some may require that the minutes be forwarded directly to the jurisdiction while others state the records must be made available when a government official requests them. Regardless, keeping a good record of the activities and discussions of the joint health and safety committee is necessary to help ensure that each concern and resolution is documented.
Minutes of meetings are generally circulated to all committee members after approval by both health and safety committee co-chairpersons. One copy should be posted in a prominent place in the workplace and the original kept with the records of the committee. It is recommended that the minutes be circulated to committee members and posted within a week from the meeting.
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