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JHSC Certification

What You Really Need to Know About a JHSC

What is a JHSC?

A JHSC (short for joint health and safety committee) is the backbone of workplace health and safety in Ontario. The term JHSC describes a group of people (committee), made up of both worker representatives and employer representatives (joint), whose function is to improve health and safety conditions in the workplace.

Which workplaces need a JHSC?

Any workplace in Ontario where 20 or more workers are regularly employed must have a joint health and safety committee. This includes construction projects with 20 or more workers that are expected to last three months or more. Some workplaces with fewer than 20 regular workers may also need a JHSC if designated substances are in use.

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How Many Should be on the Committee?

1 to 5 Workers

You are not required to have a JHSC or a health and safety representative unless a designated substance regulation applies to your workplace.

6 to 9 Workers

You are required to have one health and safety representative selected by the workers they represent. If a designated substance regulation applies to your workplace, you are required to have a JHSC.

20 to 49 Workers

You are required to have a JHSC with at least two members. There must be at least one managment representative and one worker representative who are certified.

50 + Workers

You are required to have a JHSC with at least four members. There must be at least one managment representative and one worker representative who are certified.

What does a JHSC do?

The JHSC fills a vital role in the workplace. The committee primarily functions to raise awarenes of health and safety issues, as well as identify potential risks. The JHSC also advises the employer on strategies to improve worker safety and well-being. Some of the special fucntions of the JHSC include:

  • holding regular meetings
  • performing inspections and investigations
  • identifying workplace hazards
  • recommending solutions to health and safety  issues
  • receiving worker compaints and concerns

Who Should be on the Committee?

At least half of the members of the joint health and safety committee should be made up of worker members. Worker members are defined as those whose jobs do not include managerial functions (such as hiring or firing). The worker members should be selected by the workers or by the union, if there is one. 

The remaining members of the JHSC are selected by the employer from workers who exercise managerial fucntions. These persons are sometimes referred to as manager or supervisor members.

How are Workers Certified?

The JHSC Training program standard in Ontario is established and administered by the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO). The CPO regulates the content of JHSC Training, approves training providers, and issues certification.

In order to become a certified member of the JHSC, workers must complete Part 1 and Part 2 of mandatory JHSC Certification Training. After completing Part 2, the member will be fully certified and will need to complete JHSC Refresher Training every 3 years in order to maintain certification.

How to Become a Certified Member

How is JHSC Training Regulated?

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) gives the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) the authority to establish standards for training, approve training providers, and award certification to individuals who fulfill the requirements to become a certified member.

We are a CPO approved training provider and our Part 1, Part 2 and Refresher training courses meet the current JHSC Certification Training Program Standard. Learners who successfully complete our JHSC training courses will receive certification from the CPO.