Joint Health and Safety Committees restructured

A new Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) structure has been implemented at McMaster. The JHSCs have been reorganized to ensure all staff are represented on these committees and all buildings and facilities are routinely inspected.

In addition to the Central JHSC, which deals mainly with campus wide issues, there are now 15 McMaster University JHSCs that focus on distinct areas. These include: Physical Plant; Science; Engineering; Arts Quad; Administration; Hospitality; Libraries and Museum; Ivor Wynn Centre; Business; Downtown Centre; McIARS; Commons; Health Sciences; Frid Street and Henderson Research.

In the fall of 2003, an adhoc committee was established to look at the structure and function of the McMaster University JHSCs. In the past, most JHSCs were organized by faculty or department. In some instances, people outside a faculty or area did not know to which JHSC they should report health or safety concerns, after first reporting them to their supervisor. With only a few exceptions, JHSCs will now be responsible for an entire building or group of buildings rather than bits and pieces of several buildings.

Joint health and safety committees are a requirement under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act for employers with 20 or more workers. As an integral part of developing and maintaining an effective internal responsibility system, JHSCs provide opportunity for both labour and management representatives to participate in workplace health and safety. JHSCs are required by law to meet quarterly. McMaster's JHSCs meet regularly to discuss health and safety issues and initiatives. Through activities such as regular workplace inspection, JHSCs carry out an important role in the recognition and identification of hazards in the workplace. At McMaster, JHSC work assists in maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all staff, students, visitors and volunteers.
Joint presentations by Environmental and Occupational Support Services (EOHSS) and worker representatives are currently being provided to the new JHSCs and include information on restructuring, workplace party representation and inspection as well as provide tools and information to assist JHSCs in fulfilling their mandate.

For further information about the JHSC in your area, check out the health and safety board in your area of work or log on to the EOHSS Web site.

To find out who represents each area visit http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/link.php?link=Job+Matters%3AEOHSS+Committees.