Making a difference

Committees improve by regular review and ongoing commitment to education.

Here are some ways to improve:

• Learn about and stay up to date on workplace legislation
• Complete the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Educational Training Program (all members must receive WorkSafeNB-approved training within one year of joining a JHSC)
• Seek guidance from subject matter experts if you need help on safety topics
• Learn about employee rights and the JHSC’s role in work refusals
• Learn how to recognize, identify and assess hazards
• Regularly review the organization’s health and safety program, codes of practice and safe work procedures
• Share health and safety knowledge with the workplace
• Stay updated on health and safety information. We encourage all JHSC members to subscribe to E-News to keep up-to-date on health and safety news that can affect their workplace

The JHSC helps the employer improve workplace health and safety. The employer is responsible to develop, implement and maintain good health and safety standards in workplaces, correct and/or eliminate hazards and comply with workplace legislation. Working together, everyone builds and maintains a healthy and safe workplace.

JHSCs can boost their effectiveness by:

• Organizing and participating in monthly (or more often, if required) workplace inspections
• Distributing health and safety tips to the workplace (can be work-related or general information)
• Hosting lunch-and-learns to build awareness of the JHSC and its function
• Reviewing workplace inspection results and recommending ways to correct hazardous conditions
• Participating in incident investigations
• Proposing changes to the organization’s health and safety program, policies, procedures and codes of practice
• Leading or participating in safety initiatives at the workplace (health, safety and wellness projects, safety talks, employee recognition incentives, etc.)