Introduction to Section 21 Health Care Committee Guidance Notes

January 3, 2011

The Ontario Health Care Health and Safety Committee Under Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“the Committee”) develops Guidance Notes (GNs) to assist workplace parties to address occupational health and safety issues in health care organizations.

The Committee was established by the Minister of Labour in 2006 to advise and make recommendations to the Minister on matters relating to the occupational health and safety of all health care workers in Ontario. The Committee has equal membership from employer associations and unions and is facilitated by Ministry of Labour staff.

As part of the Committee’s work, it produces GNs on topics relevant to health care workers, supervisors, employers, Joint Health and Safety Committee members, and health and safety representatives in all health care sectors to provide advice on statutory requirements and good practices to assist the workplace parties to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses to health care workers.

All GNs are prepared, reviewed and agreed to by the employer and labour representatives of the Committee. Because of the wide representation on the Committee and its access to valuable expertise from its constituents and membership as well as expertise from the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Ministry of Community and Social Services and from the Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare, the Committee believes that the information and guidance in these documents is valuable and informative.

The Committee encourages workplace parties to use the GNs that are applicable in their workplaces and to disseminate them widely to groups which may find them useful.

Members for Organized Labour:  

Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW) http://www.caw.ca

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) http://www.cupe.on.ca

Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) http://www.ofl.ca

Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA)  http://www.ona.org

Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) http://www.opseu.org

Service Employees International Union (SEIU)  http://www.seiulocal1.org

Members for Employers:

Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC)

http://www.ccac-ont.ca 

Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors  (OANHSS)  http://www.oanhss.org 

Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA)  http://www.ocsa.on.ca

Ontario Home Care Association (OHCA)  http://www.homecareontario.ca

Ontario Hospital Association (OHA)  http://www.oha.com

Ontario Long-Term Care Association (OLTCA)  http://www.oltca.com

Members with Observer Status:

Health and Safety Association of Government Services – Community and Healthcare Team  http://www.osach.ca

Ministry of Community and Social Services http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care http://health.gov.on.ca

Ministry of Labour http://www.labour.gov.on.ca

Guidance Notes

Guidance Notes 1: Communication

Guidance Notes 2: Pandemic Recovery

Guidance Notes 3: Training