Guides & Toolkits

THE EFFECTIVE JHSC 4 140-002-07-IGOT © 2013, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) 1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca ƒ Make written recommendations for improvement in health and safety of workers to the employer as needed. Section 9(18)(b) ƒ Identify workplace hazards. Section 9(18)(a) ƒ Being present at the beginning of workplace testing. Section 9(18)(f ) ƒ Be present at investigations of work refusals and have the right to investigate critical injuries or fatalities. Section 43(4) and 9(31) ƒ Participate in information gathering. Section 9(18)(d)(i-ii) ƒ Accompany a Ministry of Labour inspector during a physical inspection of the workplace. Section 54(3) The OHSA legally defines these responsibilities and functions. You will find the complete list of JHSC roles, responsibilities and entitlements in the OHSA and in the Appendix of this guide. Roles and Responsibilities of the Employer The responsibilities of the employer under the OHSA include: ƒ Establish as required and maintain a joint health and safety committee. Section 9(4) ƒ Provide time for JHSC members to carry out their duties and must pay JHSC members while they do committee work. Section 9(34)(35) ƒ Employer shall ensure that at least one member of the committee representing the employer and at least one member representing workers are certified members. Section 9(12) ƒ Ensure that the legally required number of certified members is met. Section 9(17) ƒ Respond to recommendations from the JHSC in writing within twenty-one days. Section 9(20) ƒ Provide any documentation or information concerning health and safety issues in the company to the JHSC). Section 9(18)(d)(i-ii);(e) How Can the Employer Be More Effective? Aside from the employer's responsibilities to the JHSC, part of maintaining a good relationship means: 1. Recognizing and rewarding the JHSC's work 2. Avoiding delegating "ownership of health and safety" to the JHSC, but taking responsibility themselves 3. Negotiating a common vision for health and safety with the JHSC 4. Guiding the development of specific health and safety objectives, when requested 5. Having senior managers promote health and safety issues 6. Integrating health and safety into day-to-day activities at all levels 7. Provide full support for the activities of the JHSC WSPS.CA

• Cover