JOINT HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEES (JHSC): AN OVERVIEW
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How must the Committee be Composed?
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (s.9) is quite specific about how committees must be composed:
They must be made up of at least two persons in workplaces where fewer than 50 workers are
regularly employed [s.9(6)(a)]
They must have four members where there are 50 or more workers [s.9(6)(b)]
They must have two co-chairs – one worker member and one management member [s.9(11)]
At least half the members must be workers who do not exercise managerial functions (these
members must be selected by the workers or the trade union, if there is one) [s.9(7)]
The remaining members must be selected by the employer from individuals in the organization who
exercise managerial functions [s.9(9)]
At least one of the members representing workers and one representing managers must be certified
(the certified member representing workers is to be selected by the same workers or trade union that
selected the worker members of the committee) [s.9(12)]
What is a Certified Member?
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 Chief Prevention Office (CPO), MLITSD.
Among other things, these individuals have the power to stop work in specific circumstances and to
investigate complaints that dangerous circumstances exist [s.44(1)(a)(b)(c)]. If a certified member
resigns or is unable to act, the employer must ensure there is a replacement within a reasonable period of
time.
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