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·
JOINT
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE (JHSC)
Ø
Members
Ø Duties
Ø Meetings
A written health and safety program must be initiated and maintained in consultation with the joint health and safety committee (JHSC) or representative in facilities that have more than 20 employees. (Occupational Health and Safety Act, 19.6)
The
written plan must include the following elements: provision for the training of
workers, provision for the preparation of written work procedures, provision
for the establishment and continued operation of a joint health and safety
committee (JHSC), provision for the selection and functions of a health and
safety representative, a hazard identification system, a system for health and
safety monitoring, a system for the prompt investigation and correction of
hazardous occurrences, maintenance of records and statistics, and provision for
monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the program.
A JHSC must be established in any workplace where 20 or more people regularly work. (Occupational Health and Safety Act 1998, 19.7)
The committee will consist of the number of members as agreed to by the employees and the employer. At least half the members must be employees.
The JHSC has the following functions: to cooperate to identify hazards to health and safety, receive, investigate and promptly address complaints, participate in inspections and investigations, advise the employer on personal protective equipment, advise the employer regarding policies or programs, make recommendations to the employer for the improvement of health and safety, maintain records and minutes of committee meetings.
The employer must respond to written recommendations from the JHSC within 30 days.
A JHSC must meet at least monthly unless the committee alters the frequency of meetings in its rules of procedure. Employees are entitled to take time off for meetings with usual salary and benefits. (Occupational Health and Safety Act 1998, 19.7 – 19.9)
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