Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee
Your Role in Safer Workplaces
A Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee is more than a legislative requirement – it’s one of the most powerful tools an organization has for building a genuine culture of safety. When committee members are equipped with the right skills and knowledge, the JOHSC becomes a driving force for meaningful, lasting change across the workplace.
Nova Scotia’s OHS legislation requires any workplace with 20 or more employees to establish a JOHS Committee – a collaborative forum where workers and management work together to identify hazards, investigate incidents, and champion safety at every level. AWARE-NS’s 2-day certificate program ensures your committee members have everything they need to fulfill that role with confidence and impact.
Program Overview
Learning Objectives
By the end of this 2-day certificate program, participants will have a thorough understanding of the Nova Scotia OHS Act and their obligations under it, the skills to establish and maintain a productive and effective JOHS Committee, and the practical tools to identify hazards, conduct workplace inspections, and investigate incidents using root cause analysis. Participants will leave equipped to contribute meaningfully to their organization’s health and safety culture – not just meet the minimum requirements.
JOHSC Day 1 – Foundations of Committee Effectiveness
Day 1 builds the foundational knowledge every committee member needs. Participants will explore the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) and understand how shared accountability underpins effective safety culture. The day covers JOHS Committee roles and responsibilities in depth, alongside strategies for safety communication and driving accountability across the organization.
JOHSC Day 2 – Skills for Impact
Day 2 shifts into practical application. Participants will develop hands-on skills in hazard identification, workplace inspections, and incident investigation using root cause analysis. Together, these tools equip committee members to move beyond process and become active, confident contributors to a safer workplace.
Recommended Participants
Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee Members
Note: Participants are not required to complete JOHSC Day 1 before taking JOHSC Day 2.
Questions or Comments?
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