If you are a worker representative on a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC), you have a right to education to help you fulfill your role.
This knowledge ensures worker representatives have the information needed to be a strong voice in health and safety discussions.
There are four kinds of education available.
- One-time training for new JOHSC members
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If you’re newly appointed to a JOHS Committee, your employer must provide you with eight hours of mandatory minimum training.
You must receive this training no later than six months after you start in your role. But you can begin attending and participating in your JOHS Committee as soon as you’re appointed. You don’t need to wait until you take this training.
This mandatory minimum training for new JOHSC members is in addition to the annual education available to all JOHSC members.
This training, and your wages for the time you attend the workshop, is paid by your employer.
- Annual education for all JOHSC members
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All JOHSC members are entitled to eight hours of education leave each year to attend occupational health and safety education courses.
If you are a new JOHSC member, you are entitled to this education in addition to the eight hours of minimum training you receive as a new member.
This education, and your wages for the time you attend the workshop, is paid by your employer.
You must request this education. If you don’t use it, it cannot be carried over to the next year.
- Additional HEU education for JOHSC members
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HEU offers health and safety workshops that are highly recommended to help you build your skills. You will also meet JOHS Committee members from other work sites, to network and problem-solve together.
This education and your wages for the time you attend the workshop, is paid for by HEU.
- Education provisions in your collective agreement
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Some collective agreements have language about additional employer-paid JOHSC education for worker representatives. Check your collective agreement for details.
This education would be in addition to the annual training and mandatory new JOHSC member training, and would be paid for by your employer.
You must request this education.
Find out more about education provisions in your collective agreement.
Please note, you can begin attending meetings and participating in your JOHS Committee as soon as you are appointed. You don’t need to wait until you take education.
Education is also available to worker health and safety representatives at smaller workplaces that do not have JOHS Committees. Please see the details for each type of education to find out what you are entitled to.