Workplace Safety and Health Co-Chair

Under the Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations the fablab has to have two Workplace Safety and Health Co-Chairs.

• an employer Co-Chair (currently Tina Tenbergen)
• an employee Co-Chair (currently Lawrence Rosdobutko)

Responsibilities under the Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations

• Investigations: serious incidents and accidents ...
  • An investigation must be carried out by ... the co-chairpersons of the committee at the workplace or their

designates (Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations 2.9(2)(a))

• • in consultation with the co-chairpersons or their designates... must prepare a written report ...(Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations 2.9(3))
• A co-chairperson of a committee may call a special meeting to deal with matters of urgent concern, including but not limited to serious incidents, accidents, dangerous occurrences or matters believed to constitute a serious risk to the safety or health of a worker or other persons. (Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations 3.4)
• A committee must ensure that ... the minutes of each committee meeting are ... signed by the co-chairpersons (Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations 3.7(1) (a) (ii))
• alternate in serving as chairperson at meetings of the committee and shall participate in all decisions of the committee (Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations 40(8)(b))
• if a committee has failed to reach a decision about whether or not to make a recommendation under clause 40(10)(g) after attempting in good faith to do so, either co-chairperson may make written recommendations to the employer (Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations41.1(1.1))
  • 40(10)(g): "the making of recommendations to the employer or prime contractor respecting the safety and health of workers;"
• A safety and health officer who conducts an inspection or investigation at a workplace, may request that he or she be accompanied by (a) the worker co-chairperson of the committee or his or her designate (Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations 41.3(1))
• Inspecting dangerous conditions...refusal to work... (Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations 43.(3)(a)