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JOINT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE (JOSH)

WCB Regulation Reference

 

The Workers Compensation Act requires employers to establish a Joint Health And Safety Committee in any workplace that regularly employs 20 or more workers (full and part time). The WCB may also require other workplaces to establish a health and safety committee.The Safety Committee shall assist in creating a safe place of work, shall recommend actions which will improve the effectiveness of the safety program and shall promote compliance with WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation. Each Scaffold Depot project site will form a committee in the following manner:

 

Guidelines

 

  • The meeting must occur a minimum of once a month; once every week when required;
  • The meeting must be separate from weekly production meetings, or General Site Safety Meeting;
  • The meeting must be documented and filed.

 

Committee Membership

  • One representative of each contractor/trade must attend.
  • Not fewer than four regular members employed at the jobsite and experienced in the types of work being performed at the jobsite.
  • Membership chosen by and representing the workers and the employer. In no case shall the employer’s representatives out number the worker’s representatives.
  • Two Co-Chairpersons elected from and by the members of the committee.  Where the Chairman is an employer,(Supervisor) the secretary must be a worker member and vice versa.

 

Safety Committee
 
Co-Chairperson’s Duties

The Co-Chairpersons are responsible for:

  • Arranging the meeting time, date and place;
  • Preparing the agenda;
  • Reviewing previous minutes and new materials;
  • Chairing the meeting.

 

Secretary’s Duties

The secretary is responsible for:

  • Recording, preparing and distributing minutes;
  • Notifying members of meeting;
  • Reporting the status of recommendations.

 

Committee Duties

A joint committee has the following duties and functions in relations to its workplace:

  • To identify situations that may be unhealthy or unsafe to workers and advise on effective systems for responding to those situations;
  • To consider and expeditiously deal with complaints to the health & safety of workers;
  • To consult with workers and the employer on issues related to occupational health & safety and occupational environment;
  • To make recommendations to the employer and the workers for the improvement of the occupational health & safety and occupational environment of workers;
  • To make recommendations to the employer on educational programs promoting the health and safety of workers and compliance with the regulations and to monitor their effectiveness;
  • To advise the employer on programs and policies required under the regulations for the workplace and to monitor their effectiveness;
  • To advise the employer on proposed changes to the workplace or the work processes that may affect the health and safety of workers;
  • To ensure that accident investigation and regular inspections are carried out as required by the regulation;
  • To participate in inspections, investigations and inquires as provided in the regulations;
  • To carry out any other duties and functions prescribed by regulation.

 

Safety Committee Meeting Typical Agenda

The Safety Committee form shall be completed for each meeting.

  • Call to order;
  • Roll call – Chairman introduces any guests or visitors present;
  • Review business arising out of previous minutes;
  • Reading of relevant correspondence and reports;
  • Incident/Accident, near miss review;
  • Recommendations and suggestions;
  • Discuss the work schedule and its impact on safety;
  • New business;
  • Set date, time and location for next meeting;
  • Adjournment.

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