Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee

Please see the most recent communication from your OH&S Committee

PURPOSE

A Joint Occupational Heath and Safety Commitee (JOH&S) consists of labour and management representatives who meet on a regular basis to deal with health and safety issues. The advantage of a joint committee is that the in-depth practical knowledge of specific tasks (labour) is brought together with the larger overview of company policies, and procedures (management). Another significant benefit is the enhancement of cooperation among all parts of the work force toward solving health and safety problems.

In British Columbia, WorkSafeBC and the Worker’s Compensation Act mandate worksite health and safety legislation guidelines for organizing the committee, the structure of the committee, meeting frequency, and the roles and responsibilities of committee members.

Specific duties and functions, as prescribed by the Workers Compensation Act are the following:

  • Identify situations that may be unhealthy or unsafe for workers, and advise on effective systems for responding to those situations
  • Consider, and promptly deal with complaints relating to the health and safety of workers
  • Consult with workers and the employer on issues related to occupational health and safety, and the occupational environment
  • Make recommendations to the employer and the workers for the improvement of the occupational health and safety, and the occupational environment of workers
  • Make recommendations to the employer on educational programs promoting the health and safety of workers and compliance with Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act and the regulations, and to monitor their effectiveness
  • Advise the employer on programs and policies required under the regulations for the workplace, and to monitor their effectiveness
  • Advise the employer on proposed changes to the workplace, including significant proposed changes to equipment and machinery, or the work processes that may affect the health or safety of workers
  • Ensure that accident investigations and regular inspections are carried out as required
  • Participate in inspections, investigations and inquiries as provided in Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act and Section 3 of the Regulation

2021 JOH&S MEMBERS

Worker Representatives

Holly Thorbes – SW Area Representative
Catherine Chan – SE Area Representative
Audrey Wang – NE Area Representative
Raili Haapalainen – CEN Representative
Sze Wann Lim
Wendy Fletcher

John Bai – REFM, CUPE 15

[Kari Scott-Whyte – Union President]

Alternates:
Aili Meutzner
Jonna Milledge
Stanley Wong

Ming Huang – REFM, CUPE 15

Library Management Team Representatives

Dave King – Co-Chair
Dave Coggles
Julia Morrison
Becki Wong
Nathan Kung
Jon Downey
Megan Langley

[Balwinder Rai – HR Director]

Alternate:

Marcus Wilde

Minutes are posted on the VPL’s HUB.