Ask The Expert: How Many Certified Members Must the JHSC Have?

QUESTION

How many members of the joint health and safety committee (JHSC) have to get certification training’ We’re in Ontario.

ANSWER

Two, one representing the workers and one representing the employer.

EXPLANATION

Although you can’t have fewer you can have more than the required minimum of two certified JHSC members. But only one of those certified members is allowed to perform the functions of a certified member under the OHS Act, e.g., investigating work refusals, on behalf of the constituency he/she represents.

If there’s more than one certified member representing workers, the workers or their union must designate which one will exercise the certified worker member functions.

If there’s more than one certified member representing the employer, the employer must designate which one will exercise the certified employer member functions.