Occupational Health Committees

One of the three fundamental worker rights protected by law is the right to participate in workplace health and safety decisions. The occupational health committee is the main way workers participate in the workplace. It is the way to have the cooperative involvement of both labour and management. The committee combines workers' in-depth, practical knowledge of specific jobs and management's larger overview of job interrelationships, general company policies and procedures.

The employer must establish an occupational health committee in each workplace that has 10 or more workers, whether the workers are full-time, part-time or both. Committees have between 2 and 12 members, depending on the size of the workplace. Employer members (management) must not outnumber worker members. The main role of the committee is to:

• participate in the control of workplace health and safety hazards in the workplace
• investigate work refusals and
• deal with worker concerns about workplace health and safety

An employer must consult and cooperate with the committee and take suitable action to deal with all health and safety concerns the committee identifies. While the committee can identify problems and suggest solutions, the final responsibility for decisions about health and safety procedures rests with the employer.

To work properly, the committee needs a good structure, a clear understanding of purpose and duties and standard procedures for meetings. Committee members should be active participants in the development, implementation and monitoring of all phases of the employer's health and safety activities.

The law says the employer must make sure committee members have enough time to carry out their duties during normal working hours, with no loss of pay or other benefits.

Click on a file below to download the Occupational Health Committee Minutes Form.