Charitable and Religious Industry Health and Safety Committee
About the charitable, religious, political and trade organisations industry committees
What is the purpose of health and safety committees?
Members meet in order to initiate, promote, maintain and review measures of ensuring the health and safety of the workers.
When must health and safety committees be established?
At least one committee must be established when two or more health and safety representatives are designated.
How many health and safety committees must a business have, and how many members serve on a health and safety committee?
The employer determines the number of committees as well as how many members each committee has, based on the following:
If only one committee has been established for a workplace, all the designated Health and Safety Representatives must be members of that committee.
If an inspector is of the opinion that the number of committees in the workplace is inadequate, he or she may determine the establishment of additional committees.
Every designated Health and Safety Representative must be a member of at least one health and safety committee. Employers may nominate persons to represent them on a committee.
On any committee, the people who represents the employer may not be more than the number of health and safety representatives who represent the workers.
How often do health and safety representatives meet?
They meet whenever it is necessary, but at least once every three months.
The committee determines the time and place. However, if 10% or more of the workers put a request for a meeting to the inspector, the inspector may order that such a meeting be held at a time and place which he or she determines.
Who determines the procedure of the meetings?
The members of the committee elect the chairperson and determine his or her period of office, meeting procedures, etc.
May health and safety committees consult experts for advice?
Yes, committees may co-opt persons as advisory members for their knowledge and expertise on Health and Safety matters. However, such an advisory member does not have any voting powers.