Minutes of the latest JHSC meeting: Click here to download or view.

Representation

The University Joint Health & Safety Committee (J.H.S.C.) has a membership equally representative of workers and supervisory or management personnel. The Committee of the Fredericton Campus is comprised of eight (8) full members and eight (8) alternate members. Four (4) of these members represent the various employment groups (A.U.N.B.T., U.N.B.E.A. [G.L.T.A. & A.V. and S.A.L.A.C.] and A.P. & T.) and four (4) represent the employer as management personnel. The University Safety Coordinator, as ex-officio member, oversees the committee function and its activities on behalf of the University administration. The Student Union safety representative participates in the J.H.S.C. as an observer.

The Committee on the Saint John Campus is comprised of six (6) full members and four (4) alternate members. Four (4) of these represent the various employment groups (A.U.N.B.T., A.P.& T., C.U.P.E. A.V.& G.L.T.A.) and two (2) represent the employer as management personnel.

Involvement

The Committee's involvement in all occupational health and safety matters is an important one. This includes their participation in the establishment and enforcement of University health and safety policies.

The Safety Coordinator strives to ensure the University community complies with the New Brunswick Occupational Health & Safety Act and its Regulations and other safety Codes & Standards as apply to University operations.

The introduction of new procedures, materials and policies are reviewed by the J.H.S.C. to ensure that occupational health and safety standards are enhanced rather than impaired by changes.

The Safety Coordinator's involvement in these matters requires a thorough knowledge of the New Brunswick Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations and of sound occupational health, hygiene and safety principles.

Back to Top

Communication

Effective communication on occupational health and safety matters within the University is enhanced by an exchange of information through the J.H.S.C.

Included in the University safety program are the establishment of safety policies reflecting responsibilities of both employees and management under the N. B. Occupational Health & Safety Act, proper reporting procedures for unsafe or improper working conditions, accident reporting, development of emergency contingency plans, First Aid training and supplies, training and hazard control.
The Safety Coordinator audits all aspects of industrial safety, laboratory practices, general working conditions, coordinates hazardous materials management, oversees radiation protection, as well as develops and coordinates safety training, on a day to day basis. The Safety Coordinator has the overall responsibility for ensuring University conformance with legislation and other generally accepted safety codes and standards. In these areas, the Safety Coordinator acts as a resource person to the Committee.

Specific items of information, dictated by changing processes and procedures are reviewed by the J.H.S.C. and dealt with as required to enhance job safety.

Back to Top

Bulletin Board

The University J.H.S.C. bulletin board is located outside of the Campus Safety Office. Items displayed on the bulletin board include the minutes of Committee meetings, emergency telephone numbers, Committee member's names in whose area the University is located, and any other current items of interest as designated by the J.H.S.C.

Back to Top

Membership

The J.H.S.C. has a balanced membership of individuals interested in improving occupational health and safety performance at the University.

Each member is elected/appointed by the groups they represent, i.e. employee and management groups name their respective representatives on the J.H.S.C.

The J.H.S.C. has two co-chairs. One represents employees and the other represents management. Each co-chairperson has equal status within the J.H.S.C. and they rotate as chairperson of the monthly meeting.

The secretary to the J.H.S.C. is responsible for minutes, agenda and other essential report keeping. The Campus Safety secretary acts as secretary to the Committee.

Terms of office for the J.H.S.C.'s members are determined by the Committee. The terms are scheduled so that it does not become necessary to name an entirely new slate of officers at any one time.

Meetings are scheduled in advance to take place monthly. Alternate members are named for both employee and management groups to ensure that full attendance is achieved regardless of illness, vacation or other unavoidable absences of the regular members. The J.H.S.C. meeting minutes are posted on the J.H.S.C. bulletin board outside of the Campus Safety Office, mounted on the Campus Safety website and are mailed to members, as well as representatives of all of the employment groups on campus.

Back to Top

Inspections/Audits

A regular program of workplace inspections and audits is carried out by members of the J.H.S.C. as part of their responsibilities.

The inspection/audit teams are determined at each monthly meeting by the J.H.S.C. members and are made up equally of individuals representing the employees and the employer.

The Director of Environmental Health & Safety Office reports to the Committee the results of the previous month's audits, as well as on the corrective action taken by the departments involved.

Back to Top

U.N.B. Joint Health & Safety Committee: Terms of Office

1. The Committee shall consist of equal numbers of employer and employee representatives. Employer representative being selected by the employer and employee representative being selected by the employees.

2. Co-Chairpersons shall be selected by employer and employee representatives. Each co-chairperson will have equal status within the Joint Health & Safety Committee and should rotate their duties in which ever manner is suitable to them.

3. Committee members will review co-chairperson positions annually in November, decisions being made in December and to take effect by the January meeting. (Only members can be considered for the position of co-chairperson.)

4. Terms of office of the Joint Health & Safety Committee members shall be determined by the Committee. (To ensure continuity, it is recommended that members' terms of office be so scheduled that it does not become necessary to name an entirely new committee and to set the limit at a minimum of two new members and a maximum of four.)

5. The appointment and re-election of Committee members shall take place once annually in the month of December.

6. Alternate members should be given first opportunity to become regular members.

7. The employment group affected by any resignation shall be informed by the member by November.

Back to Top

U.N.B. Joint Health & Safety Committee: Responsibilities

1. Identify health and safety concerns at the workplace.

2. Make recommendations to correct health and safety concerns.

3. Monitor the corrective action taken.

4. Create an awareness of the importance of occupational health and safety to everyone in the workplace.

5. To provide a forum for the discussion and resolution of problems related to injury, disease and loss.

6. Ensure that health and safety education training programs are established and maintained at the workplace.

7. Assist with the resolution of questions arising from the right to refuse dangerous work.

8. Investigate the causes of accidents to prevent recurrence.

9. Become familiar with the Occupational Health & Safety Act.

10.Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards the practice of occupational health and safety.

Back to Top

Joint Health & Safety Committee: Members ( pdf version).

Back to Top

TERMS OF REFERENCE for U.N.B. DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY GROUPS

a) The Group shall be selected by and be responsible to the administrative head of the department.

b) The Group will consist of as many members as the administrative head of the department thinks is necessary.

c) The administrative head of the department or the members may select a Chairperson.

d The members should become knowledgeable on the New Brunswick Occupational Health & Safety Act.

e) All members are responsible for safe practices and recommending changes to improve health and safety in the workplace.

f) The group will meet when necessary, preferably monthly and maintain minutes of meetings.

g) The group shall record minutes of each meeting and forward a copy of the minutes to the office of the Safety Office.

Back to Top

FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL ONLY

h) Health and safety concerns of Facilities Management employees required to work in other University departments shall be directed to their Facilities Management supervisor prior to commencement of work.

Back to Top