Ontario Health Care Health and Safety Committee

Ontario Health Care Health and Safety Committee

The Ontario Health Care Health and Safety Committee appointed under Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act was established by the Minister of Labour in 2006 to advise and make recommendations to the Minister on matters relating to the occupational health and safety of all health care workers in Ontario. The Committee has equal membership from employer associations and unions and is facilitated by Ministry of Labour staff.

Guidance Notes

As part of the Committee’s work, it produces Guidance Notes (GNs) on topics relevant to health care workers, supervisors, employers, Joint Health and Safety Committee members, and health and safety representatives in all health care sectors to provide advice on statutory requirements and good practices to assist the workplace parties to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses to health care workers.

All GNs are prepared, reviewed and agreed to by the employer and labour representatives of the Committee before the are endorsed by the Minister of Labour.

The Committee encourages workplace parties to use the GNs that are applicable in their workplaces and to disseminate them widely to groups which may find them useful.

Committee members for workers

• Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA)
• Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)
• Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
• Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL)
  
• Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)
• Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Committee members for employers

• Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC)
• Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors  (OANHSS)
• Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA)
• Ontario Home Care Association (OHCA)
• Ontario Hospital Association (OHA)
• Ontario Long-Term Care Association (OLTCA)

Committee members with observer status

• Health and Safety Association of Government Services – Community and Healthcare Team
• Ministry of Community and Social Services
• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care