Best Practices for Onboarding New JHSC Committee Members

Introduction to Onboarding New JHSC Members:

Onboarding new members into the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is essential for ensuring its effectiveness and continuity. The onboarding process sets the tone for their engagement, influences their understanding of responsibilities, and fosters a sense of belonging within the committee. Organizations can develop a strong JHSC by prioritizing a comprehensive onboarding process that addresses safety concerns and promotes a healthier work environment.

Necessary Training for JHSC Members

One worker member chosen by the workers and one management member appointed by management must receive JHSC Certification training from a Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) Approved provider. The Certification Process involves obtaining Part One, Part Two, and Refresher training.

• JHSC Part One provides foundational knowledge of occupational health and safety legislation, workplace hazards, and the role of the JHSC and is the same training for all sectors.
• JHSC Part Two involves workplace-specific hazard training and must be completed within one year of completing Part One.
• JHSC Refresher training must be completed within three years of Part Two and every three years afterward.

In our experience, training is most effective when more than the minimum number of JHSC committee members receive it. JHSC training serves as a catalyst for revitalizing workplace safety culture, particularly in environments where complacency may have taken hold.

By participating in JHSC training sessions, employees gain fresh perspectives, insights, and skills that reignite their dedication to fostering a positive safety culture. They return from training with a heightened awareness of safety practices and a renewed sense of responsibility toward promoting and maintaining a safe work environment.

Understanding the Role of JHSC Members

Clarifying JHSC members’ responsibilities and expectations is crucial for effective functioning and safety. As a member of the JHSC, you will have many responsibilities, including, but not limited to:

• Hazard Identification: Actively participate in identifying existing and potential workplace hazards through regular inspections, incident investigations, and discussions with fellow employees.
• Risk Assessment: Assist in evaluating identified hazards and determining control measures.
• Policy and Procedure Review: Review existing health and safety policies and provide suggestions and recommendations when necessary.
• Safety Promotion: Promote safety by raising awareness and encouraging compliance with health and safety guidelines. Ensure everyone knows who your JHSC committee members are. The JHSC should probably be the most transparent committee in your organization. You want people to know who they are and what they do monthly. Post a list of names and photos alongside meeting minutes.
• Monthly Workplace Inspections: Conduct monthly workplace inspections to identify safety concerns.
• Monitor and Evaluate: Monitor the effectiveness of implemented safety measures and initiatives, regularly reviewing and evaluating their impact on workplace safety.

How to Conduct Orientation for the Committee

When new JHSC members join, orienting them into their new roles is helpful.

Review of Terms of Reference: Familiarize new members with the objectives and scope outlined in your JHSC terms of reference document.

Introduction to JHSC Members: Members should introduce themselves, share their backgrounds, and discuss their expectations for the committee’s work.

Meeting with Co-Chairs: Sit down with the co-chairs to gain insight into the committee’s history, ongoing projects, and priorities. This session will help new members understand the current landscape and their role within the committee.

Review Previous Meeting Minutes: Examine past meeting minutes to understand previous discussions, decisions, and action items. Reviewing previous minutes will provide context for ongoing projects and help new members catch up on past developments.

Evaluating Onboarding Success

Assessing the effectiveness of the onboarding process involves measuring engagement levels within new committee members. One method includes gathering feedback from new and existing JHSC members through surveys to gather insights into their experience, perceived clarity of roles and responsibilities, and satisfaction with the onboarding process.

Regular evaluations of JHSC meetings, including feedback on agenda relevance, discussion effectiveness, and action item follow-up, are also crucial for assessing the committee’s functionality and effectiveness in addressing safety concerns. Observing the implementation of recommendations made by the JHSC and the effectiveness of the committee’s initiatives.

By collecting feedback, analyzing performance metrics, and tracking safety outcomes, JHSCs can identify areas for enhancement in their onboarding processes and continuously refine strategies to ensure the highest standards of workplace health and safety are upheld. Contact Health & Safety Professionals Inc. today for any questions related to JHSC.