What is a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)?
Ensuring a safe and healthy work environment is a fundamental responsibility for all employers and employees in Ontario. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through collaboration and shared responsibility. Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs) play a critical role in fostering a culture of safety and cooperation within the workplace.
What is a Joint Health and Safety Committee?
A Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is a key part of Ontario’s workplace health and safety system. It is composed of worker and employer representatives who work together to identify and address health and safety concerns in the workplace.
JHSC requirements in Ontario
Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), certain workplaces are required to have a JHSC. The requirements depend on the size and nature of the workplace:
- Workplaces with 20 or more regularly employed workers must have a JHSC.
- Workplaces with fewer than 20 workers may still require a JHSC if ordered by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), or if a designated substance regulation applies.
- At least half of the members of a JHSC must be workers who do not exercise managerial functions.
- At least two members (one worker and one management) must be certified after completing approved training.
JHSCs are responsible for conducting regular workplace inspections, identifying hazards, and making recommendations to the employer.
Responsibilities of a JHSC
The main goal of a JHSC is to improve occupational health and safety and help prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. JHSCs play an advisory role, making recommendations to the employer regarding health and safety improvements and monitoring the effectiveness of health and safety policies and procedures.
In addition to these advisory functions, the responsibilities of a Joint Health and Safety Committee include:
- Conducting regular workplace inspections to identify potential hazards
- Investigating critical injuries and work-related incidents, and;
- Participating in the development, implementation, and review of workplace health and safety programs
- Reviewing reports related to health and safety, including accident reports, workplace inspection findings, and ministry of labour orders, and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken
The committee consults with workers and management to gather feedback, encourages reporting of hazards, and helps foster a culture of safety throughout the workplace. JHSCs play a vital role in promoting health and safety awareness and education by facilitating training sessions and sharing important safety information with all employees.
By taking on these responsibilities, JHSCs serve as a bridge between workers and management, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and that health and safety remain a top priority in the organization.
Get JHSC training from an approved provider
Speak to your employer or union representative about nomination and selection processes to get involved. A JHSC must have at least one worker and one management representative complete certification training with a Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) approved provider, like the Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA). Your involvement helps create a safer, healthier workplace for everyone.
Certification training is not just a legal requirement—it empowers JHSC members to confidently identify workplace hazards and make meaningful recommendations for improvement.
The JHSC certification is structured into three main components. Each stage is designed to ensure committee members have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively promote workplace health and safety.
- Part 1: This portion covers fundamental occupational health and safety concepts applicable to all workplaces.
- Part 2 – Sector-Specific: After finishing Part 1, members must complete Part 2, which focuses on significant hazards relevant to their particular workplace or industry sector. This may include general modules for all workplaces as well as specialized training addressing hazards unique to sectors such as healthcare, public safety, education and government.
- Refresher: To maintain certification, JHSC members are required to complete refresher training every three years.
PSHSA offers flexible training options for how you learn best like virtual instructor-led, in-person instructor-led, eLearning (Part 1 only) and private delivery training with just your workplace for groups of learners.
