Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification – Refresher
Maintain JHSC Certification: Refresher Training
Keeping Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) members and the committee actively functioning, effective, knowledgeable and proactive is critically important. Here are a few key points to consider regarding the importance of JHSC Refresher training:
Members Keep Updated
Committee members have a lot on their plate. The company may be growing, downsizing, facing trends or seasonality, employee turnover and more. In addition, laws, regulations, CSA Standards and other best practices are constantly evolving. These evolutions put demands on the health and safety system, and therefore, the JHSC within the workplace.
Employers want to provide as much support as possible to the JHSC committee for the best results and to keep workers safe and productive. A refresher course ensures that certified members remain up-to-date. This is important in maintaining legal compliance and for members in making relevant, legally sound recommendations to the employer.
Reinforces and Refreshes Core Skills
Over time, even the most dedicated JHSC member can forget key details from their initial training. A refresher course provides an opportunity to revisit fundamental concepts and skills.
You can expect, the course to include a review of JHSC Part 1 and JHSC Part 2 concepts. The JHSC Refresher program will remind participants the critical role JHSC members have in preventing injuries and fatalities while practicing how to achieve this using the tools learned from the former programs, like procedures for inspections, investigations, and reporting. Solidifying a sound grasp of the key fundamentals when safety issues arise allows the JHSC members to act with confidence and authority.
The legal requirement for refresher training acknowledges the human reality faced in our day-to-day operations. We get busy, distracted, and complacent. Refresher training is a built-in mechanism to ensure that the people responsible for keeping workplaces safe are consistently performing at their best.
Addresses New and Emerging Hazards
As previously mentioned, the workplace itself is always changing. New technologies, materials, processes, personal protective equipment and even external factors can introduce new hazards that didn't exist when the members were first certified.
Fosters Peer-to-Peer Learning and Collaboration
Learners sharing with peers from different workplaces about their experiences in what has and has not worked on their committees is a key benefit of refresher training. Typically, these exchanges are invaluable with take-away information and sharing that instills the confidence for members to move forward in the development of a safe workplace.
In addition, there is an opportunity to network with peers as comradery develops within the well-facilitated course, and who can support each other beyond the training session.
Maintains Certification Status
From a legal and compliance standpoint, refresher training is non-negotiable for those certified after the 2016 standard change. Failing to complete the refresher within the mandated three-year period can result in the revocation of a member's certification. If this happens, the member would need to retake the entire certification process (Part 1 and Part 2) to regain their status, which is a far more time-consuming and costly process.
Summary
In short, refresher training is not a mere formality. It is a critical component of a robust and proactive health and safety program that ensures the JHSC remains a vital and competent force for a safer workplace.
Get in touch with us today!
Joint Health and Safety Committee Refresher Training: See ‘public training dates’ page for upcoming training schedule.
What you will be doing in JHSC Refresher training
Under Course Overview, we discussed the key benefits of JHSC Refresher training.
In short, Refresher training includes:
- Review of key concepts from Part One and Part Two training.
- Relevant updates to legislation, standards, codes of practice, and occupational health and safety best practices; and
- Opportunity for certified members to share and discuss best practices and challenges.
The course covers a lot of material and is thorough. Reflective of the style of learning used in JHSC Part 2 training, participants who come with an open mind and are prepared to ask questions and have discussions with their peers will have the best experience. The day will seem to fly by in this engaging course.
It’s all about your experience
Just like in JHSC Part 2 training, during JHSC Refresher training, our experienced instructors use realistic, interactive techniques that help participants relate to their own experiences and address specific concerns. This approach is what makes the training truly effective and separates a great course from a mediocre one. Here’s why:
It’s Personal: Examples discussed in class are your examples or similar examples from other participants in the class that directly relate to your day-to-day experiences, making the application of concepts easier to comprehend.
Promotes Active Learning: Group discussions, case studies, and one-on-one conversations encourage participants to think critically and apply what they’ve learned. This hands-on approach solidifies knowledge far more effectively than simply listening to a lecture.
Building Problem-Solving Skills: The active learning style allows participants to practice what they have learned in a safe, non-judgmental environment, building confidence and competency for when they face challenges back at work.
Fostering a Collaborative Environment: The training's interactive format encourages peer-to-peer learning, allowing participants to share experiences and learn from a wider range of safety issues and solutions.
Our JHSC Refresher training isn’t just a compliance checkmark. It's a genuine opportunity for skill development and information updating, making the JHSC members more effective advocates for safety and a more valuable asset to their organization.
JHSC Certification Details
Participants successfully completing JHSC Refresher training receive individual Certificates of Completion.
In addition, their achievement is officially registered with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), which helps with tracking for future JHSC Refresher Training.
Moreover, these certificates are valid for three years.
FAQs
At what interval is JHSC Refresher training required?
JHSC members certified under the new Ontario standards must undergo Refresher Training within three years of their initial certification and every three years thereafter to maintain their certification.
Does the MLITSD provide extensions for JHSC Refresher training?
Yes, however, they will allow an extension only once. There are a number of restrictions in place to qualify, and the request must be made prior to training certification expiration. Check with the MLITSD to determine if you qualify.
Contact Act First Safety for Training Needs
For details on the industry-specific hazard categories covered in each course, contact Act First Safety. We provide flexible training options designed around your workplace needs:
- JHSC Certification Training
- Private, instructor-led sessions at your facility
Get in touch with us today!
Maintain compliance and strengthen workplace safety with JHSC Certification Training in Toronto from Act First Safety. Our programs equip your committee members with the skills and knowledge needed to uphold and improve health and safety standards across your organization.
Call Act First Safety at (416) 283-7233 today to book your JHSC Certification training.
Request Private Training to Your Facility
This is how to create an environment that reduces the potential of conflict before it happens.
This course provides the mandatory training required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to help you meet your responsibilities as a supervisor.
