A joint health and safety committee (JHSC) is a forum for bringing the internal responsibility system into practice. The committee consists of labour and management representatives who meet on a regular basis to deal with health and safety issues. The advantage of a joint committee is that the in-depth practical knowledge of specific tasks (labour) is brought together with the larger overview of company policies, and procedures (management). Another significant benefit is the enhancement of a cooperative attitude among all parts 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 for details.

The committee may also be known as the Industrial Health and Safety Committee, Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committee, Occupational Heath committee, Workplace safety and health committee, or Health and Safety Committee.

Employers are responsible for establishing workplace health and safety committees. Most Canadian health and safety legislation set guidelines for organizing the committee, the structure of the committee, meeting frequency, and the roles and responsibilities of committee members.

Employers establish terms of reference applicable to the formation, structure and functioning of the committee. Such terms of reference must ensure:

• compliance with the OHS legislation
• effectiveness of the committee in meeting workplace specific needs
• widest possible employee involvement

The JHSC idea is a way to act on the principal of "internal responsibility" which is the basic principle of the occupational health and safety legislation in Canada. The "internal responsibility" principal maintains that labour and management work together within their company to deal with occupational health and safety issues. Activities of the JHSC include:

• participate in development and implementation of programs to protect the employees safety and health,
• deal with employee complaints and suggestions concerning safety and health,
• ensure the maintenance and monitoring of  injury and work hazard records,
• monitor and follow-up hazard reports and recommend action,
• 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,
• participate in resolving workplace refusals and work stoppages,
• make recommendations to management for accident prevention and safety program activities, and
• monitor effectiveness of safety programs and procedures.

A Joint Health and Safety Committee or the appointment of representatives is either mandatory or subject to ministerial decision in all Canadian jurisdictions. 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. Consult the most up-to-date applicable legislation to find out what are requirements for your workplace.

The following are references to the provincial and federal legislation where you will find the guidelines for joint health and safety committees from the different jurisdictions in Canada. Since legislation is amended from time to time, the jurisdictions should be contacted for the most current information.

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

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)

Table One provides brief information about the committees: when they are necessary, size and representation. This summary is intended to provide basic facts. Please consult the legislation applicable to your workplace for exact information.