Joint Health and Safety Committee
Certification Training

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Training

This training gives employees and managers the opportunity to become a certified member of their organization's Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC).

For companies in Ontario with more than 20 workers, having a JHSC is a legal requirement under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Not only do organizations need to have a committee, but the committee needs at least two members who have completed an approved JHSC certification course. That's where our JHSC training comes in—any employee or manager can become certified by successfully completing Part 1 and Part 2 of our CPO approved JHSC training.

Participants will learn about key health and safety principles so they are equipped with the knowledge required to contribute to a safe working environment.

How do I become certified?

You’ll be certified after successfully completing Part 1 and Part 2 of our CPO approved JHSC training.

How long is certification valid for?

Your certification is valid for three years after the successful completion of Part 2. After three years, you must complete JHSC Refresher Training to keep your certification valid.

What will I learn?

OSG’s JHSC Certification training provides you with the knowledge and tools you’ll need to be ready to actively contribute as a JHSC member. You will be able to:

Explain the roles and responsibilities of a certified JHSC member and other workplace parties
Identify and explain relevant health and safety legislation
Explain the purpose and legal requirements of the JHSC
State the basic RACE methodology: recognizing, assessing, controlling, and evaluating hazards
State the requirements for investigating accidents
Describe the process of hazard recognition, assessment, control, and evaluation (RACE)
Apply the RACE methodology to each hazard module
Create an action plan and recommendations

Why train with OSG?

Ontario Chief Prevention Officer Approved provider of JHSC Part 1, Part 2 and Refresher training
Largest private health and safety training provider in Ontario
All courses are offered virtually with distance learning
Interactive instruction and discussion from trainers with over 150 years of combined experience

What is the difference between JHSC Online Training and JHSC Distance Learning?

Online training courses are self-paced and you complete the course as it works for your schedule. Distance Learning involves “live” online instruction with our trainer and happens at a prescribed time. All participants attend the same virtual classroom, resembling the experience and benefits of in-person training.

Can multiple attendees use the same computer for Distance Learning?

No. Each learner will need to attend via their own computer, tablet or mobile device. For more information on technology requirements, visit our Distance Learning FAQ.

Is in-person JHSC training still available?

Yes. However, at this time, in-person training for JHSC Part 1, Part 2 and Refresher is only available as private training. If you are interested in private training, please contact us for a quote.

Is private JHSC training available?

Yes. If you’re looking for private on-site JHSC or private Distance Learning JHSC training, please contact us for a quote.

Are there extensions available due to COVID-19?

As of May 1, 2020, after completing Part 1, learners have 12 months to complete Part 2. Learners who completed Part 1 within the 6 months before May 1, 2020 now have an additional six months to complete Part 2.

JHSC Part 1

Can I take JHSC Part 1 online?

Yes. JHSC Part 1 is available online (self-paced) and distance learning. Private group training is also available for in-person or distance learning delivery.

How long does it take to finish JHSC Part 1 Online?

This self-paced training takes an average of 13-16 hours to complete. You have up to 30 days to complete the training.

Who should take JHSC Part 1?

JHSC Part 1 is the first step in the process for becoming a certified member of a Joint Health and Safety Committee. No prior experience is required to become certified. JHSC Part 1 provides foundational health and safety knowledge that can be applied to any industry.

JHSC Part 2

How long do I have to complete Part 2?

After completing Part 1, learners have 12 months to complete Part 2. We recommend completing Part 2 within 1-2 months. You can even complete Part 2 immediately after completing Part 1 and be certified in as little as four days.

What formats are available for JHSC Part 2?

JHSC Part 2 is available as distance learning. Private group training is also available for in-person or distance learning delivery.

Is JHSC Part 2 available online?

Under the current Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development provider standard for Joint Health and Safety Committee training, only JHSC Part 1 may be delivered via online self-paced training. JHSC Part 2 is available via Distance Learning.

JHSC Refresher

Who is required to complete JHSC Refresher Training?

Members of your JHSC Committee who were certified after March 1, 2016 need to take JHSC Refresher Training in order to maintain their certification.

If you were certified before March 1, 2016, you do not need to take JHSC Refresher Training to maintain your certification. You may still attend the course to review key concepts and learn about updates to health and safety legislation and standards.

When do I need to take JHSC Refresher Training?

Your first JHSC Refresher must be completed within three years of completing JHSC Part 1 & 2. After that, JHSC Refresher must be completed once every three years from that date in order to remain a certified JHSC member.

How long is JHSC Refresher Training?

JHSC Refresher Training can be completed in 1 day. OSG's course runs from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Check the course calendar for a date and time that works for you.

What happens if I do not take Refresher Training within three years?

If you do not take a JHSC Refresher Training program within three years of completing JHSC Part 2 or a previous JHSC Refresher Training course, and you did not receive a one-time exemption, your certification may be revoked by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. If your certification is revoked, you will have to retake Certification Training (i.e. JHSC Part One and Part Two Certification Training courses and JHSC Refresher training) in order to be recertified.

Do I have to take JHSC Refresher Training with an Approved Provider?

Yes. In order to maintain your certification, your Refresher Training must be conducted by a provider whose program has been approved by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skill Development's Chief Prevention Officer (CPO). OSG's JHSC Refresher is approved by the CPO.