JOSH Committees & Worker Reps
Joint Committees - Where everybody is equal and focused on health and safety
In sum, to identify hazards, receive complaints, and write recommendations to the employer to address hazards and increase safety.
OH and S law regarding Joint Committee duties and functions
The Joint Committees always have to be comprised of half workers, and there needs to be representatives on the committee from each group at the worksite (i.e. in schools that would mean a rep from the employer, a rep from the BVTU, and a rep from CUPE).
Worker Reps - Get trained to learn your rights and use the processes!
Silverthorne Elementary:
Twain Sullivan Elementary:
Houston Secondary:
Telkwa Elementary:
Muheim Elementary:
Walnut Park Elementary:
Smithers Secondary:
The BC Federation of Labour Health and Safety Center is the gold standard for worker representatives to get their mandated training.
This link will take you to the course calendar, where virtual courses can be found. The virtual courses fill up fast, and get loaded two months prior to the course date. Set a calendar notification to check their course calendar, or get on their email list! You won't regret it. Workers build strong health and safety cultures! No one will do it for us.
Employer-paid training for BVTU OH and S reps
- Eight hours per year for OH and S reps; 16 if you are a new OH and S rep.
- The worker picks the training; the employer pays release time and registration fees.
- If they deny, this is a grievance -- call the local president right away.
- OH and S reps can also transfer this training entitlement to another worker, if they have already taken everything they need to take and are confident and competent!
- The more workers at your school that understand your rights, the better.
- The courses of the most value, in order, are:
#1 Occupational Health and Safety Committee Part 1
#3 Prevention of Violence in the Workplace
#4 Psychologically Healthy and Safe Workplaces through the CSA Standard
#5 Understanding and Conducting Risk Assessments
Accessing your SD54 paid release time for annual OH and S training
It's buried under 5 layers on the district website, so here it is: Appendix 5 Education Leave Worksheet
Fill it out and submit that to your principal, and they submit it to the district safety manager, Rolanda Lavallee. If you need help, the employer should be able to assist you. This is their duty to you, their employee.
If your principal doesn't know what it is, call your local president.