Joint Health and Safety Committee

Bill 30 was enacted and came into effect in 2018; current requirements for Joint Health and Safety Committees are governed by the Alberta OHS Code as updated most recently in 2023. One of the requirements being introduced by Bill 30 is the Joint Health and Safety Committee.

What a Joint Health and Safety Committee Actually Is

The Joint Health and Safety Committee is the communication link between management and workers and encourages the need for safe and competent work from all levels of the company. All workers and employers are accountable for health and safety. Health and Safety Committees are an important part of this internal responsibility system and further ensure that work site parties are aware of their roles and responsibilities in the workplace.

When Alberta Employers Need One

A Joint Health and Safety Committee is required at work sites where 20 or more workers are regularly employed, regardless of the duration of the work.

At multi-employer work sites with 20 or more workers, the prime contractor is responsible for coordinating the Joint Health and Safety Committee. If no prime contractor is designated, employers must cooperate to ensure health and safety requirements are met, including committee establishment if thresholds are met. The 90-day duration condition does not apply.

What the Committee Is Responsible For

The Joint Health and Safety Committee has many responsibilities including:

• Promoting health and safety awareness throughout the work force including contractors and suppliers.
• Ensuring the implementation of Committee decisions is followed by workers and contractors.
• Responding to health and safety concerns from workers.
• Helping find solutions to difficult health and safety concerns and problems that can be solved through co-operative efforts. Some of these solutions may involve substitution, elimination, employee training, and review of job procedures, a clarification of safety policy or a special protective equipment device.
• The committee may inspect the worksite for hazards and review all relevant documentation.
• Reviewing health and safety inspection reports to help correct/control hazards.
• Assisting in the investigation of incidents and injuries to determine the correct action to avoid reoccurrence.
• Assist in the development of safety policies and safe job procedures/work practices.
• Reviewing the Health and Safety Program and make improvements as required.
• Assisting with new employee orientation, including site familiarization tours.
• Assisting OHS officers during inspections with the site supervision.

Committee Membership and How Members Are Chosen

A Joint Health and Safety Committee must consist of at least 4 persons, of whom at least half represent workers who are not in positions of management of the work site.

Committee members are appointed or selected by the workers they represent. The selection process can include a ballot system or an open vote. The Joint Health and Safety Committee must have two co-chairs: one employer representative and one worker representative. Worker members must work at a worksite to which the committee is established.

The committee must meet at least quarterly (every 3 months) and While it is good practice to post committee members' names, the Alberta OHS Code requires that minutes of Joint Health and Safety Committee meetings be kept and made available to workers.

Training Requirements for Committee Members

Yes. The employer must ensure that the members of the committee receive training in respect to the duties and functions of a committee.

The employer will ensure that committee members have time away from their regular duties to perform meetings, inspections and address concerns or corrective actions on behalf of the committee.

New legislation and processes can be overwhelming, however there are ways to find support that can assist you in meeting your legislative requirements. If you require any assistance in establishing or training your Joint Health and Safety Committee, please give us a call at Safety Ahead and we would be more than happy to help out!

Don’t forget to ask us about Safety Admin and Safety in a Box™!!