Joint Health Safety Committee & Representatives Online Training - Alberta (3 Hours)
About this Course
This comprehensive 3-hour online training course is designed to equip Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) members and Health and Safety Representatives with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively fulfill their roles under occupational health and safety legislation.
Participants will learn the key responsibilities of JHSCs and Representatives, including hazard identification, workplace inspections, incident investigations, and promoting a strong safety culture. The course also covers legal requirements, communication strategies, and the importance of collaboration between employers and workers to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
Course Highlights:
- Overview of JHSCs and Health and Safety Representatives
- Legal duties and responsibilities under OHS legislation
- Conducting effective workplace inspections and investigations
- Identifying and controlling workplace hazards
- Promoting health and safety in the workplace
- Meeting and communication best practices
Who Should Take This Course?
- Newly appointed or existing JHSC members
- Health and Safety Representatives
- Supervisors, managers, and workers seeking a better understanding of health and safety roles in the workplace
Format: 100% online, self-paced
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Certificate: Digital certificate of completion provided
Stay compliant and proactive—empower your team with the knowledge to make your workplace safer for everyone.
Benefits
KEY BENEFITS
Ensure Legal Compliance
Learn how to meet your responsibilities under occupational health and safety legislation, helping your organization stay compliant and avoid costly fines or penalties.-
Empower JHSC Members and Health & Safety Representatives
Gain the skills and confidence needed to effectively identify hazards, participate in workplace inspections, and contribute to incident investigations. -
Enhance Workplace Safety
Apply practical tools and strategies to reduce risks, prevent incidents, and foster a proactive safety culture. -
Strengthen Communication and Collaboration
Improve teamwork between workers and management through better communication around health and safety matters. -
Save Time and Reduce Training Costs
Complete the course in just 3 hours, fully online and self-paced—perfect for busy schedules and remote access. -
Develop Safety Leadership Skills
Learn how to lead by example and take an active role in promoting safety within your organization. -
Earn a Recognized Certificate
Receive a digital certificate of completion to validate your training and demonstrate your commitment to health and safety.
Modules
COURSE STRUCTURE
This in-depth online training program is designed to equip Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) members and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) with the essential knowledge and tools to effectively fulfill their legal roles under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation. Through three structured modules, participants will build practical skills to identify hazards, collaborate with employers, resolve safety concerns, and drive a proactive safety culture in the workplace.
Module 1: Roles, Responsibilities & Legal Compliance
This module introduces the foundations of JHSCs and HSRs, emphasizing their roles in workplace safety. Participants will explore:
- The purpose, structure, and legal basis for JHSCs and HSRs under Alberta’s OHS Act.
- Workers' rights to know, participate, and refuse unsafe work.
- Employer and worker responsibilities under OHS laws.
- Effective committee operations, including meetings, documentation, and communication strategies.
- The Internal Responsibility System (IRS) and the role of all workplace parties in safety.
Module 2: Hazard Management & Workplace Safety Practices
In this module, participants learn how to actively manage workplace hazards and prevent incidents through:
- Identifying and assessing physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards.
- Applying the hierarchy of controls to reduce risk.
- Conducting proactive and reactive workplace inspections using checklists and documentation.
- Investigating incidents, identifying root causes, and developing corrective actions.
- Reviewing incident reports to identify trends and enhance prevention strategies.
Module 3: Building Effective Collaboration Between Workers and Employers
This module focuses on strengthening relationships and decision-making between employee and employer representatives. Topics include:
- Understanding the perspectives and responsibilities of both parties.
- Bridging communication gaps and fostering employee engagement.
- Resolving conflicts within committees through structured problem-solving.
- Collaborating on audits, inspections, investigations, and the implementation of safety measures.
- Monitoring, reviewing, and continuously improving safety initiatives together.
Final Assessment & Certification:
Each lesson within the modules, includes quizzes. Successful participants receive a Certificate of Completion.
Module One - Roles, Responsibilities & Legal Compliance
The video in this section is a quick explanation to your online course, which will summarize the layout of Modules, Lessons, and Quizzes. You only need to watch this video once during the course.
Welcome to Module One of the Joint Health and Safety Committee & Health and Safety Representative Training Program.
Creating a safe and healthy workplace doesn’t happen by accident—it requires knowledge, collaboration, and clearly defined roles. That’s where this module comes in.
In Module One, you’ll learn how Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) system empowers both workers and employers to take ownership of workplace safety through legal responsibilities and shared accountability. Whether you're a worker, supervisor, or manager, understanding these roles is key to fostering a strong safety culture.
What You’ll Learn:
- The purpose and function of Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs) and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), and how they serve as the backbone of worker participation.
- The legal foundation of health and safety in Alberta under the OHS Act, Regulation, and Code, including the three key rights of every worker.
- The specific duties and responsibilities of employers, supervisors, and workers under the law.
- How to operate a Joint Health and Safety Committee effectively, from organizing meetings to solving problems and making impactful recommendations.
- The concept of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS)—a uniquely Canadian approach to workplace safety where everyone has a role to play.
Why This Matters:
Understanding your role in the health and safety system is not just about compliance—it’s about preventing injuries, protecting lives, and creating a workplace where everyone feels empowered to speak up and take action.
By the end of this module, you’ll be equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to actively contribute to a safer, stronger, and more collaborative work environment.
Let’s get started on building a safety-first mindset—one where legal compliance and leadership go hand-in-hand.
Module Two – Hazard Management & Workplace Safety Practices
The video in this section is a quick explanation to your online course, which will summarize the layout of Modules, Lessons, and Quizzes. You only need to watch this video once during the course.
Welcome to Module 2 of the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) & Health and Safety Representative Training Program.
Keeping workers safe means more than just responding to incidents—it requires proactive hazard management, thorough inspections, and well-executed investigations. This module gives you the tools to do just that.
In this module, we’ll dive into the foundational practices of workplace hazard management, helping you recognize and control risks before they cause harm. You’ll learn how to identify different types of hazards, conduct effective inspections, and respond to incidents with clear, actionable solutions.
These are critical skills for any JHSC member or Health and Safety Representative—and they’re just as important for supervisors, managers, and workers who are committed to building a safe and healthy workplace.
What You’ll Learn:
In Lesson 1, you'll explore how to:
- Identify and assess common workplace hazards (physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial).
- Conduct a hazard assessment using a structured approach.
- Prioritize risks using a risk matrix.
- Apply the Hierarchy of Controls to select the most effective safety solutions.
- Understand the shared responsibilities of employers and workers in hazard management.
In Lesson 2, you’ll learn how to:
- Conduct effective workplace inspections using checklists and documentation.
- Spot both unsafe conditions and unsafe acts before they lead to incidents.
- Ensure inspection findings are reported, followed up, and resolved.
In Lesson 3, we’ll cover:
- The importance of incident investigations and how they prevent future harm.
- Step-by-step methods to investigate incidents using tools like the 5 Whys and Fishbone Diagrams.
- How to write clear, actionable incident reports.
- The role of JHSCs and HSRs in reviewing incidents and recommending preventive measures.
Why This Module Matters
A strong hazard management system is the foundation of any safe workplace. Whether you’re preventing risks before they happen or learning from incidents that already occurred, your role as a safety leader is essential.
By the end of this module, you’ll be ready to take a proactive role in:
- Identifying and reducing risks
- Strengthening your workplace safety practices
- Supporting a culture of prevention and accountability
Let’s get started—and take the next step in creating a safer, smarter work environment.
Module Three – Building Effective Collaboration Between Workers and Employers
The video in this section is a quick explanation to your online course, which will summarize the layout of Modules, Lessons, and Quizzes. You only need to watch this video once during the course.
Welcome to Module 3 of the Joint Health and Safety Committee & Health and Safety Representative Training Program.
In every successful workplace safety program, collaboration is key. That’s why this module focuses on one of the most important aspects of health and safety leadership: building strong, respectful, and productive working relationships between employee and employer representatives.
Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs) and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) are most effective when both sides—workers and management—work as partners. But even with the best intentions, differences in priorities, communication styles, and perspectives can create challenges.
This module will equip you with the tools to bridge those gaps, navigate disagreements, and drive joint decision-making that supports safer workplaces for everyone.
What You’ll Learn:
In Lesson 1, we’ll explore:
- The distinct but complementary roles of employee and employer representatives.
- How to understand each other’s perspective to build mutual respect.
- Strategies for improving communication between workers and management.
- How to engage employees meaningfully in safety discussions and initiatives.
In Lesson 2, you’ll learn how to:
- Recognize the common causes of conflict in safety committees.
- Handle disagreements constructively and professionally.
- Apply conflict resolution techniques to keep your committee focused and effective.
- Find win-win solutions that satisfy both safety concerns and operational needs.
In Lesson 3, we’ll dive into:
- The process of joint decision-making and how to get support for safety improvements.
- How to encourage employer buy-in using evidence and clear communication.
- Best practices for collaborating on inspections, audits, and investigations.
- How to monitor and review the effectiveness of implemented safety measures.
Why This Module Matters:
When workers and employers collaborate, safety improves—fewer incidents, better morale, and stronger compliance. But collaboration doesn’t just happen on its own. It takes clear communication, shared goals, and mutual trust.
By the end of this module, you’ll be better equipped to:
- Build positive relationships within your committee,
- Navigate difficult conversations,
- And ensure that everyone’s voice is heard when it comes to protecting health and safety on the job.
Let’s get started on building those bridges—and strengthening your committee’s ability to lead change.