Joint Health and Safety Committee 

Joint health and safety committees

A joint health and safety committee (JHSC) is a collaborative group within a workplace that brings together employers and employees to improve workplace safety and compliance. Its primary purpose is to identify hazards, recommend solutions, and evaluate workplace safety programs.  

Across Canada, these committees are legislatively mandatory for certain employers and play a vital role in ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements. Even where they aren’t mandatory, such as when a workplace has only a few workers, these committees can still be valuable for employers to promote a safety-first workplace culture. 

Comprising worker and employer representatives, a JHSC helps ensure that all perspectives on workplace safety are addressed. The committee typically holds regular meetings and inspections to proactively identify and address risks, and also participate in investigations when incidents occur. By promoting transparency and open communication, and through a mutual commitment to safety, a JHSC helps businesses reduce incidents, improve employee wellbeing, and foster a productive, secure workplace culture. 

How many employees are required for a joint health and safety committee? 

In Canada, the requirement for a JHSC varies by jurisdiction but generally applies to workplaces with 20 or more employees. Federal workplaces must have a JHSC at 20 employees. In Ontario, all workplaces with 20 or more employees must have at least two members, and those with 50 or more employees must have four members. Workplaces with fewer than 20 employees often require a single worker to be designated as the health and safety representative tasked with working with the employer to promote and protect occupational health and safety. 

Have questions about starting a joint health and safety committee at your organization? 

Our health and safety software, online safety training, and live advice services can help. Our health and safety and HR packages are conveniently priced to meet the needs and budgets of organizations in any sector. 

Get started now with our Ontario Health and Safety Program Planning Guide. Start improving your health and safety program today with actionable tips from our experts.

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Or check out these blogposts for more information on trending health and safety topics in Canada: 

• Get the Most from Your Joint Health and Safety Committee 
• What Are Employers’ Responsibilities for Workplace Health and Safety? 
• WHMIS Label Requirements: A Guide for Canadian Workplaces