Bill 30 Joint Health and Safety Committee Requirements

One of the requirements introduced by Bill 30, passed June 1, 2018, was the appointment of a workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee.

For all work/projects lasting 90 days or more, larger employers (20 or more workers), will be required to have a Joint Worksite Health and Safety Committee consisting of at least 4 persons, of whom, half represent workers not in positions of management on the work site.

What is a Joint Health and Safety Committee?

Joint Health and Safety Committees are important forums for workers to participate in OH&S. They ensure supervisors and workers discuss health and safety issues in the workplace and work collaboratively to find ways to address them.

These committees will be responsible for:

· Inspecting the work site for hazards;

· Helping employers respond to health and safety concerns from workers;

· Helping resolve unsafe work refusals;

· Helping develop health and safety policies and safe work procedures;

· Helping with new employee health and safety orientation; and

· Developing and promoting education and training programs.

Committee members will be appointed or selected by the workers they represent via a ballet system, or an open vote. The Committee will have two chairs; 1 to be appointed by the employer, 1 to be appointed by the workers, who will alternate duties. Members must work at the worksite for which the committee is appointed.

The committee must meet at least quarterly (every 3 months) and the committee members names must be posted in a conspicuous place at each work site.

Employers must ensure that the members of the committee receive training in respect to the duties and functions of a committee and that committee members have time away from their regular duties to perform meetings, inspections and address concerns or corrective actions on behalf of the committee.

Go over to our website to register yourself, and your employees, for our online JHSC training today. Remember to use the code ONTRACK10 to receive 10% off.