Health & Safety Committees
The Workers Compensation Act requires that most Employers in the province have a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC).
Due to the number of staff and workers at UBC and the diversity of occupations and relative hazards, UBC has chosen to implement three JOHSCs at the Okanagan Campus.
The three JOHSC’s are:
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JOHSC – AVP Students
UBC aims to provide a safe workplace for all employees, students, and visitors. In order to enhance our safety culture, UBC’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees (JOHSCs) are accountable directly to their Vice President’s portfolio.
The JOHSC – VP Students has the following members:
| Jeff Stonehouse | BCGEU | Library | Worker Representative |
| Kevin Kraft | BCGEU | Athletics | Worker Representative |
| Deserae Gogel | BCGEU | Disability Resource Centre | Worker Representative |
| Amy Lauterbacher | M&P | Disability Resource Centre | Employer Representative |
| Christine Squire | M&P | Academic and Career Development | Employer Representative |
| Robyn Bunn | M&P | Student Experience Office | Employer Representative |
| Jason McLeod | Non-voting | Health, Safety & Environment | Committee Resource |
| Sherry Petkau | Non-voting | AVP Students Office | Administrative Support |
AVP Students Terms of Reference
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JOHSC – Provost & VP Research
UBC aims to provide a safe workplace for all employees, students, and visitors. In order to enhance our safety culture, UBC’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees (JOHSCs) are accountable directly to their Vice President’s portfolio.
The JOHSC – Provost & VP Academic has the following members:
| Praveen Rajan | BCGEU | Engineering | Worker Representative |
| Kathy Rush | FA | FHDS | Worker Representative |
| Stephen O’Leary | FA | Engineering | Worker Representative |
| Barb Jackson | M&P | IKBSAS | Employer Representative |
| Kristen Schuppener | M&P | Education | Employer Representative |
| Ieva Zigg | M&P | COGS | Employer Representative |
| Cherie Michels | Non-voting | Health, Safety & Environment | Committee Resource |
| Alison Ward | Non-voting | Health, Safety & Environment | Administrative Support |
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JOHSC – AVP Finance & Operations
UBC aims to provide a safe workplace for all employees, students, and visitors. In order to enhance our safety culture, UBC’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees (JOHSCs) are accountable directly to their Vice President’s portfolio.
The JOHSC – VP Finance & Operations has the following members:
| Nicola Kane | BCGEU | CP&D | Worker Representative |
| Karen MacLeod | BCGEU | Food Services | Worker Representative |
| Sean Grant | BCGEU | Parking Services | Worker Representative |
| Chris White | BCGEU | Facilities | Worker Representative |
| Guy Guttman | M&P | SHHS | Employer Representative |
| Roger Bizzotto | M&P | Facilities | Employer Representative |
| Troy Campbell | M&P | Campus Security | Employer Representative |
| Adrian Hingston | Non-voting | Health, Safety & Environment | Committee Resource |
| Non-voting | CORM | Administrative Support |
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Local Safety Teams
A Local Safety Team is a joint committee made up of worker and University representatives working together to identify and resolve health and safety problems in their area. The committee coordinates and promotes health and safety activities in specific departments and liaises with local management representatives and the associated JOHSC and as necessary to resolve any safety concerns.
The role of the Local Safety Team is to:
- Assist in creating a safe and healthy workplace
- Assist with employee concerns relating to health and safety
- Promote compliance with applicable rules and regulations
- Participate in worksite inspections
- Participate in incident/accident investigations
- Accompany WorkSafeBC (WCB) officers on inspections
- Make recommendations to senior management
For more information about Local Safety Committees, please contact Health, Safety and Environment at HSE.ok@ubc.ca or (250) 807-8821.
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Committee Training
All new members of a JOHSC are required to receive at least 8 hours of instruction and training as soon as practical, but no more than 6 months after being selected as a member of the JOHSC.
Currently, JOHSC member training opportunities are available through UBC Vancouver
– Module 1, WorkSafeBC (2 hour introductory) and the Employers’ Advisers Office (Module 1 – 4).
Okanagan-specific committee training is in development and will be available in early 2020.
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Committee Resources
Below you will find tools and templates to help you run your Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC):
University Health & Safety Policy
Under the Occupational and Research Health and Safety Policy SC1 (formerly Policy #7) UBC aims to eliminate unnecessary risks, injuries, and occupational diseases, from UBC’s workplace, teaching, and research environments. Refer to the full University Safety Policy.
JOHSC Minutes Template
JOHSC Recommendations Letter Template
JOHSC Terms of Reference Template
- JOHSC TOR Template (Updated January 2020)
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UHSC (Historical Information)
The University Health and Safety Committee (UHSC) was a single committee that met the requirements of the Workers’ Compensation Act for UBC O prior to 2020. This committee was comprised of approximately fourteen members representing management and various employee groups on campus.
The University Health and Safety Committee reported to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) through the AVP of Finance and Operations.
Historical UHSC minutes can be found here