THE EFFECTIVE JHSC
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140-002-07-IGOT © 2013, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca
Developing Terms of Reference for the JHSC
What Are the Terms of Reference?
Terms of Reference set out how the committee is set up; what the committee needs to do; and who will
do the tasks. There are three steps that can be used to develop terms of reference.
1. Get Ideas on Paper
Using the topics in the Terms of Reference outline (see the following pages), begin to brainstorm the
committee's ideas for their terms of reference. The decision making process needs to be defined before
brainstorming begins:
a) Will the team use the process of voting and majority wins? or
b) Does the JHSC commit to working toward a consensus that everyone can live with?
Here are some tips for a successful brainstorming session:
ƒ Get a flip chart
ƒ Set the ground rules
ƒ Write every idea down
ƒ Don't critique the ideas
Once the brainstorming exercise is done, the team should go back and look at each point. The co-chairs
facilitate the discussion, and the secretary takes notes. This process should continue until the ideas are
refined and all members come to an agreement.
2. Create a Draft Terms of Reference
Gather all of the information from the brainstorming session. Use this information to create a draft of
the terms of reference and distribute for committee members to review.
3. Final Terms of Reference
Once consensus has been reached, the co-chairs write the final terms of reference. They jointly sign and
date the terms of reference and the secretary gives each member a copy. The secretary also provides
copies to the owner. The terms of reference are also posted on the JHSC bulletin board for other
workers to read. Finally, a copy is filed in the JHSC official records.
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