NB 188
Feb. 15, 2007
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Ed Doherty today fulfilled a Throne Speech commitment by introducing legislation regarding joint health and safety committees in New Brunswick workplaces.
"The introduction of An Act to Amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act is very important. It updates how joint health and safety committees are established, trained and work," the minister said. "As stated in the Charter for Change, we are committed to ensuring the safety of our work sites."
Under current legislation, persons who serve on joint health and safety committees are not required to take any formal training. Doherty said one of the amendments in the bill will change this by requiring all persons who serve on such a committee to be formally trained. Joint health and safety committees are required in all workplaces in the province that regularly employ 20 or more people.
"To facilitate this training, the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission has developed a three-day course for committee members," Doherty said. "In fact, the commission has been providing this training on a voluntary basis for the last year and a half, and the response has been tremendous. To date, over 2,000 members of joint health and safety committees have been trained and already meet the requirements outlined in this bill."
In addition to the amendment for mandatory training for joint health and safety committee members, the bill will create specific rules for similar committees on construction projects. Doherty said the current rules do not adequately fit the nature of a construction project. However, the amendment will contain separate rules to assist employees and employers in the construction industry.
"I am confident these proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act will improve occupational health and safety at New Brunswick workplaces, while maintaining the delicate balance between the rights of employees and those of employers," the minister said.
07/02/15
MEDIA CONTACT: Shawn Hearn, Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, 506-453-2568.
07/02/15