On May 1, 2020, the Ontario Government revised its training requirements for Joint Health and Safety Certification training.

Acute has over 100 years of combined experience with in-house or on-site worker environmental and safety training. We want to help you get the training you need to keep your workers safe.

We’ll take a closer look at the changes that came into effect, what’s involved in this training program and how you can get certified. So, let’s get started.

Joint Health and Safety Certification: Learn about the new revisions

Joint Health and Safety Certification

Joint Health and Safety Certification is a requirement for anyone who is a member of a JHSC committee under section 9 of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Each workplace is responsible to make sure that its members comply with the training requirements outlined in this legislation.

Changes to the Joint Health and Safety Certification

Joint Health and Safety Certification training is performed in two parts. In the past, you were required to complete the second part of your training within 6 months of completing your first part. However, in May of 2020, the following changes came into effect for taking your Joint Health and Safety Certification Part Two training:

• You now have up to 12 months (not 6 months) after completing Part One to complete Part Two.
• If you do not complete Part Two within the allotted 12 months, you will not be able to take JHSC Refresher training. Instead, you will need to take Part One again.
• If you completed your Part One training within the 6 months before May 1, 2020; you will now have an additional 6 months to complete your Part Two training. For example, if you finished Part One on April 15, 2020, you will now have until April 15, 2021, to complete your Part Two.

You now have up to 12 months to complete Part Two of your training

Who Needs to Take Joint Health and Safety Certification?

According to Section 9 of the OHSA, most workplaces need to have a Joint Health and Safety Committee of at least two persons who will represent the workers and the employer at their workplace. Anyone who is a member of a Joint Health and Safety Committee needs to take the proper training as outlined by the OHSA. This training needs to be done by a trainer that has been approved by the Chief Prevention Officer.

Workplaces with 5-20 employees:

If there are more than 5 but less than 20 employees at your workplace, then you usually are not required to have a Joint Health and Safety Committee. In cases like this, your workers will instead select someone to be a health and safety representative for them.

Workplaces with more than 20 employees:

If you have more than 20 employees at your workplace then you are required by the OHSA to have at least one worker and one management person serve as certified members of your workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee.

Other Workplaces:

The following are other situations where a Joint Health and Safety Committee is required according to Section 9 of the OHSA:

• A construction project that has 20 workers or more that is expected to last 3 months or longer
• A workplace, other than a construction project, where a designated substance regulation applies
• A workplace that deals with toxic substances and has an order issued under OHSA Section 33
• A workplace that has been ordered by the Minister of Labour to establish one

Construction projects with 20 or more workers lasting 3 months or longer require a Joint Health and Safety Committee

Joint Health and Safety Certification Program Contents: Parts 1 and 2

The primary role of a Joint Health and Safety Committee is to identify workplace health and safety problems and bring them to the attention of your employer. The standards for this training are set out by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development will also certify JHSC members who successfully complete an approved JHSC training program.

Part 1 Training Contents:

Part One training is generic to all workplaces. The training includes:

• Instruction in health and safety laws
• Rights, duties, and responsibilities of the people in the workplace
• The identification, assessment and control of hazards
• Duties and responsibilities of JHSC members and certified members
• Health and safety resources

Prerequisites: None

Part 2 Training Contents:

• The second part of JHSC training will focus on
• The concepts of hazard recognition, assessment, and control
• Evaluation of hazard controls
• The application of these concepts to a minimum of 6 hazards relevant to your own workplace.
• Practice drafting action plans and recommendations for the employer

Prerequisites: Part 1 Training

Learn more about ACUTE’s Joint Health and Safety Certification training

JHSC Refresher – Program Contents

The JHSC Refresher is a one day course that reviews the concepts learned in Part 1 and Part 2 of the JHSC Certification process. It also updates participants on changes to the Act, Regulations and relevant health and safety standards. It will also cover any updates to legislation, standards, codes of practice, and occupational health and safety best practices

In addition, it will provide opportunities for you and your fellow participants to share health and safety best practices, and to discuss challenges and potential resolutions.

If you are a certified member of a Joint Health and Safety Committee, then you are required to take this refresher training every 3 years in order to continue as a certified Joint Health and Safety committee member.

Joint Health and Safety Committee members need to take refresher training every 3 years

Want to learn more about the guidelines, rules, and regulations surrounding Joint Health and Safety Committees? Download our FREE “Frequently Asked Questions” PDF now.

Register for ACUTE’s Joint Health and Safety Certification Training

ACUTE offers ministry approved Joint Health and Safety Certification training that is physically distanced.  You can register for this training through ACUTE’s website, online portal, call into the ACUTE office, or email us.

ACUTE is located at 730 Bridge Street West – Unit 3, Waterloo, Ontario, N2V 2J4

Get the Best Safety Training From ACUTE

You can trust ACUTE for the best Joint Health and Safety Certification possible. ACUTE’s experienced team members have been serving safety professionals for over 20 years. You can rely on ACUTE for hands-on, physically-distanced, practical safety training to keep your employees safe in the workplace. ACUTE is dedicated to workplace safety and understands the importance of course and training provider approval. Why get workplace safety training with ACUTE? Here are just some of the benefits of working with ACUTE.

• Open Door Instructor-Student Partnership – ACUTE’s training services emphasize client participation. Staff foster relationships with clients and serve as a touchstone for advice anytime moving forward.
• Serving Your Team and Industry – With a vast array of clients in the manufacturing, construction, health, academic, and government sectors, ACUTE brings the best safety practices from across the spectrum to your workplace.
• 100 Years Combined Experience – ACUTE provides comprehensive health and safety training, on-site safety services, and consulting services. With over 100 years of combined experience, our company staff offer more than theoretical or abstract ideas. ACUTE offers solutions.
• Track Record of Success – ACUTE is rated 4.9/5 stars on Google reviews, demonstrating a commitment to our clients, quality, and passion for training.

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