Guides & Toolkits

THE EFFECTIVE JHSC 33 140-002-07-IGOT © 2013, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) 1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca Differences of Opinion Help a Team Grow An effective JHSC consists of members who represent the composition of the workplace. For example, the committee may include worker members from the warehouse, a young worker and a shift worker. Each member provides unique experiences, knowledge, skills and interests. Not everyone will see things the same way. Effective teams take advantage of this difference of opinion through agreed upon procedures and an effective decision making process. Keeping in Mind the Differing Interests in a Company JHSC recommendations may involve changes to business practices or changes that require new learning. Costs may be incurred and there may be competition with other business and management priorities. Effective teams look for buy-in and shared benefits among all of the various interests, roles and responsibilities in an organization. Not Knowing All the Answers Effective teams come up with new ideas for improvements. Some of the smallest ideas can produce the biggest returns. It is good to identify problems and discuss them even if there is no immediate solution. Some problems require complex analysis or expert solutions, some are easily resolved. Occasionally it may be necessary to bring in an outside expert to solve a difficult problem. Learning and Growing JHSCs are dynamic – they grow as they gain experience. JHSC members gain important job skills, such as the ability to: ƒ Solve problems ƒ Work in teams ƒ Run meetings ƒ Give feedback By using these skills and setting goals, a JHSC can have a big impact on a business. When starting up a committee, think of some long-term changes that can be made over time. In addition to meeting the minimum requirements in the OHSA, effective committees can have long-standing influence on health and safety behaviours, attitudes and values which may bring improvement to a company's health and safety culture. WSPS.CA

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