Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine
The Alberta government no longer requires a joint health and safety committee (JHSC) to be present at each worksite, according to a news release issued December 13, 2019.
Employers will now only be required to have one committee, regardless of the number of worksites open.
“We have heard that the current rules around health and safety committees are not working,” said Alberta Labour Minister Jason Copping.
“The new rules for health and safety committees will support healthy and safe workplaces while reducing administrative burdens.”
Employers are still responsible for ensuring healthy and safe work sites, he said.
Completion of a government-approved training course is mandatory for worksite health and safety committee co-chairs and worker representatives.
According to the release, JHSC committees are required in Alberta when an employer reaches 20 staff.
Employers with 5 to 19 workers must have a worker health and safety representative.
Worksites with multiple employers were worked last 90 days or more are required to have a site-specific committee or representative, depending on the number of workers.
My opinion
It is just another day the world of Alberta health and safety, or the lack thereof. To reduce the number of health and safety personnel on a worksite is unacceptable but it seems to be something expected out of the province of Alberta.
I have attended a CSSE (Canadian Society of Safety Engineers) conference and found that the province of Alberta has more safety professionals per capita than most any other province.
The province of Alberta understands health and safety but as I stated before they have a terrible record enforcing health and safety law. The reduction of safety committee members just proves my point. If the onus on the Alberta worksite was on safety then everything would stay the same.
If the reader feels I am somewhat in error, please read blog post #42 – “Minister Speaks Out About Health and Safety Inspection”, and see how others felt a need for change in the safety culture of the Ministry.
Ensure your workplace is a safe place.
Remember – Alberta Health and Safety – An Oxymoron!
Remember – In Canada, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Due Diligence’ and ‘Standard Operating Procedures’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.
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Thanks!