HSCs
In Session 3, we talked about the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) as the foundation of Health and Safety Systems for organizations. The IRS is based on the participation of workers and employers to co–operatively identify hazards and find solutions to them. The place where this most expresses itself is in the Health and Safety committee.
Health and Safety committees are required for larger companies (more than 20 employees) in most jurisdictions. They are known by different names (Joint Health and Safety Committee, Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, Workplace Health and Safety Committee, etc.) but function basically the same.
An HSC, as part of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS), allows members to determine how well the IRS is working through analyzing the data collected from accident and incident reviews and workplace inspections. The HSC makes recommendations to the employer on improvements to the Health and Safety System.
There are a number of guidelines for HSCs that are found across most jurisdictions. These include:
- At least half of the HSC members must be workers who do not exercise any supervisory functions
- Each committee should have advisors available that are OH&S specialists
- Tthe HSC should be co-chaired with one being a worker and the other a supervisor
- HSC members should receive training in how to be a HSC representative
The committee is an advisory body. Its role is to recommend changes. As such, the committee cannot be held responsible for Health and Safety violations.
Potential answers:
- Recognize workplace hazards and evaluate the risk of accidents/incidents, injuries, and illness
- Assist workers and management to initiate, develop, and carry out measures to ensure the health and safety of workers
- Support in the development of health and safety policies, procedures and systems for the workplace
- Act as a forum for consultation on health and safety policy
- Raise concerns over workplace hazards or unsafe practices raised by employee complaints and suggestions
- Ensure the maintenance and monitoring of injury and work hazard records
- Assist in the writing safe working procedures
- Orient new workers to health and safety risks and procedures
- Analyze reports of hazards, work-related incidents and statistics and making reports to management
- Make recommendations for corrective actions
- Review health and safety inspections and audit reports
- Monitor the effectiveness of safety programs and procedures
- Set up and promote programs to improve employee training and education