Process

A health and safety program contains the health and safety elements of an organization, objectives that make it possible for the company to achieve its goal: the protection of its workers at the workplace.

Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation specifies the minimum requirements to be contained in a health and safety program. Some of the requirements specified in the regulation may not be applicable to every workplace. However, in consultation with the occupational health and safety committee, employers should carry out their own health and safety risk assessment to determine what hazards are present at the workplace. Once the hazards have been identified, controls for exposure to these hazards should be detailed in the health and safety program.

Employers may also be required to establish a joint health and safety committee as per the requirement of the Workers Compensation Act, Part 2 Division 5 – Joint Committee and Worker Representatives. The following are excerpts from the Act:

31 General requirement for employer to establish joint committee
An employer must establish and maintain a joint health and safety committee

(a) in each workplace where 20 or more workers of the employer are regularly employed, and

(b) in any other workplace for which a joint committee is required by order.

36 Duties and functions of joint committee
A joint committee has the following duties and functions in relation to its workplace:

(a) to identify situations that may be unhealthy or unsafe for workers and advise on effective systems for responding to those situations;

(b) to consider and expeditiously deal with complaints relating to the health and safety of workers;

(c) to consult with workers and the employer on issues related to occupational health and safety and occupational environment;

(d) to make recommendations to the employer and the workers for the improvement of the occupational health and safety and occupational environment of workers;

(e) to make recommendations to the employer on educational programs promoting the health and safety of workers and compliance with the OHS provisions and the regulations and to monitor their effectiveness;

(f) to advise the employer on programs and policies required under the regulations for the workplace and to monitor their effectiveness;

(g) to advise the employer on proposed changes to the workplace, including significant proposed changes to equipment and machinery, or the work processes that may affect the health or safety of workers;

(h) to ensure that accident investigations and regular inspections are carried out as required by the OHS provisions and the regulations;

(i) to participate in inspections, investigations and inquiries as provided in the OHS provisions and the regulations;

(j) to carry out any other duties and functions prescribed by regulation.

37 Joint committee procedure

Many companies and industrial operations find that a joint safety and health committee is an excellent means of consultation within their organization. Safety committees are helpful in assigning group and individual responsibilities, in promoting positive attitudes toward safety, and in improving techniques for accident prevention.

Committee members gain valuable knowledge and understanding through the exchange of information at meetings. When appropriate, set aside part of the meeting for education. Invite members, suppliers, and professionals from outside organizations to discuss equipment and materials that relate to safety. Send members to seminars and ask them to report what they have learned. Invite management to address the committee.

Additionally, there is a need to educate new members in the work of the committee and in meeting procedures. To educate other workers it is important for committee members to set an example by working safely.