Is your Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) functioning as well as it could? New research points to training as a key factor that can help committees work more effectively.

Published on July 4, 2026, in the Journal of Safety Research, this research involves a scoping review of nine studies undertaken from 2014 to 2024, including five conducted in Canada. The researchers developed a conceptional framework including 63 different factors that best influence effective functioning of occupational health and safety committees (OHSC).

Key among these factors is occupational health and safety training. In fact, the researchers point out, “Training, which we found to be an important resource in this review, is significant for upskilling OHSC members and increasing OHSC effectiveness.” They identified a few specific training needs, including foundational occupational health and safety training, hazard-specific training, and annual training reinforcing roles for workplace inspections, work refusals, and accident investigations.  

The researchers also point out how most factors are interconnected and interdependent. Again, training plays a prominent role. Effective training, for instance, helps prepare committee members to conduct an inspection and ensure its quality (factors #29 & #31) and provide high-quality recommendations to achieve safe and healthy work (factor #35).   

WHSC JHSC Certification Training meets these needs. REGISTER BEFORE SEPTEMBER 18 for scheduled, in-person training in the coming months and SAVE 50%.

JHSC training for legal compliance and more

OHSC members, also known as joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members, have many additional legal rights and powers in pursuit of healthier, safer work. Examples include the power to identify workplace hazards, obtain information relating to any occupational health and safety testing, and investigate work refusals, critical injuries, occupational illnesses, and fatalities.
 
This most recent study is just the latest in a growing body of evidence revealing well-trained JHSC members are better prepared to act on their many rights to help protect workers. Ontario’s Occupational Health & Safety Act is equally clear and mandates they be trained. In Ontario, most workplaces with 20 or more workers—or those using designated substances—must establish a JHSC. At least two members, one worker and one manager, must become and remain certified by completing the following training programs:

• Certification Part I – foundational occupational health and safety.
• Certification Part II – sector/workplace-specific hazards and controls.
• Certification Refresher – required every three years to maintain certification. 

Though, many workplaces elect to train all JHSC members, so each is better prepared to act on their right to participate in the pursuit of healthier, safer work. And in doing so, this also helps employers meet their extensive obligations to protect workers.

Why WHSC JHSC training now?

As Ontario’s only government-designated health and safety training centre, Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) has been a trusted training provider to JHSC members for 40 years. And we continue to deliver training that meets and exceeds current standards. In fact, JHSC Certification Training curriculum rules changed on July 1, 2026, with stronger focus on workplace violence and harassment, occupational illness prevention, and overall committee effectiveness.
 
And Certification Training courses and providers still need to be approved by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development’s Chief Prevention Officer (CPO).  All WHSC Certification Training courses are CPO-approved and are already aligned with the updated curriculum requirements. 

REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 18 and WHSC is offering 50% off eligible, in-person JHSC Certification Training courses at locations across the province.

Not ready to train just now. No problem. Register by the September 18 deadline for any eligible, in-person Certification Training course scheduled during the remainder of 2026 and lock in your savings. 

Please note: French-language JHSC Certification Training is also available at 50 per cent off through scheduled in-person classes, and additional training sessions can be arranged upon request. If you have any questions about training in French, please contact WHSC training services representative, Christopher Gervais at cgervais@whsc.on.ca or 613-407-2187.

This limited-time 50 per cent off pricing is also available for many other eligible, in-person training programs scheduled in training facilities across the province. This includes Supervisor Health and Safety Training, Traffic Control and Signal Person, Working at Heights, and Working at Heights Refresher to name a few.

Secure your spot for HALF PRICE OHS training. But to do so you must REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 18! 

Related resources
Factors contributing to the effective operation of occupational health and safety committees: A scoping review and conceptual framework
JHSC Certification training via e-learning unsupported by evidence
Learn more about JHSC Certification Training

Need more information?
Contact a WHSC Training Services Representative in your area.
Email: contactus@whsc.on.ca
Visit: whsc.on.ca
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