News

Regulation Review: Part 3

Workers in Manitoba have legislated regulations to help keep us safe, day in and day out – no matter what job we do. These regulations are a part of the framework for building safe workplaces in Manitoba.

The Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and associated regulations are in place to protect you – the worker – from workplace hazards and the risks they present. Manitoba Regulation 217/2006 is a 44-part document containing requirements and guidelines for workplaces, including site-specific rules and other valuable information to prevent harm from coming to workers.  

Over the coming months, Safety Check is profiling one part of the Regulation in each issue to help remind you of the Regulation’s specifics and to help keep safety top-of-mind for all Manitobans.  

This month, it’s Regulation Part 3 – Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Committees and Representatives.  

Part 3 touches on the requirements for WSH committees, including formation, terms of office, meetings, procedures, minutes and other documents, and representative selection.  

Find a summary of main points below.  

  • Committee size is to be determined by consulting the union or workers. Employers may not influence the election of the worker members.
  • Each representative holds office for two years and can be re-elected.
  • The committee’s first meeting must be held within one month of establishment.
  • Meetings must happen at least every three months and on at least three days notice.
  • Committees must receive a suitable meeting location and resources to carry out their duties.
  • A co-chairperson may call a special meeting to deal with matters of urgent concern.
  • Quorum is half worker members and half employer members.
  • Rules must be established by the committee and include the following:
    • Regular meeting times and place
    • Procedure
    • Rules respecting conduct of meetings
    • Other matters deemed necessary or desirable
  • Committees must ensure their minutes are:
    • Recorded in a format acceptable to the Workplace Safety and Health Division
    • Signed by co-chairpersons and kept at the workplace for at least 10 years
    • Given to the employer, who must send a copy to WSHD within seven days
  • Information addressed to committee members must be distributed as soon as reasonably possible but no later than seven days after receipt.
  • An employer must meet with representatives at regular intervals – at least every three months.
  • A safety and health officer may call a meeting.
  • A safety and health bulletin board must be readily accessible to workers and contain:
    • Name of each committee member and the date of term expiration
    • Schedule of meetings
    • Meeting agendas
    • Copy of each meeting’s minutes
    • Any other recommended item
  • Committee members can examine any log book, assessment, inspection report or other record required to be kept at the workplace.
  • Lost-time information must be provided to the committee member or the representative.
  • Personal health information cannot be disclosed by any committee member unless disclosure is required or permitted by law.

 

Read the Regulation Summary or Part 3 in its entirety for more information.