IHSA’s Labour-Management Network

More than 50 committees strive to make Ontario workplaces safer.

One of IHSA’s most significant responsibilities is to support our Labour-Management Network, which unites worker and management representatives through the common goal of making Ontario workplaces as safe as possible.

Established more than 50 years ago, the network’s 55 committees represent a variety of regions, sectors, and trades. Their membership boasts more than 1,200 volunteers from businesses, trade associations, and other groups who meet regularly to discuss health and safety best practices, identify hazards and propose controls, and advocate on behalf of workers across the province. They also maintain collaborative relationships with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD), the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), unions, trades councils, and colleges and universities.

Each committee’s efforts benefit workers, employers, and their industries by helping to improve training and enhance workplace practices and procedures, and by informing occupational health and safety legislation.

Provincial committees

IHSA oversees two provincial committees that directly advise the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development in accordance with Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). They are the Provincial Labour - Management Health and Safety Committee – Construction (PLMHSC) and the Provincial Labour-Management Safety Committee – Electrical and Utilities (PLMSC-EU). Both groups meet monthly to discuss health and safety issues relevant to their industries and to advocate for improvements.

A subcommittee of the PLMHSC, the Construction Legislative Review Committee, coordinates and reviews submissions about areas of potential change to the OHSA and Regulation for Construction Projects.

Regional committees

IHSA’s 16 Regional Labour-Management Health and Safety committees represent areas throughout Ontario—from Windsor to Thunder Bay to Timmins to Ottawa. They focus their efforts on community outreach events and campaigns, to ensure that everyone is aware of the critical importance of workplace health and safety.

The committees also raise awareness of health and safety issues directly with local businesses, particularly those who may employ newer and/or younger workers, as well as companies whose workers are engaged in high-hazard activities—such as working at heights, working with high-voltage electricity, driving heavy machinery, or handling hazardous materials. Similarly, the committees often collaborate with colleges, unions, trade associations, and employer associations to promote a culture of safety.

Trade and sector committees

The network’s 20 trade and seven sector committees lend their knowledge and experience to ensure that IHSA’s health and safety products and resources are technically accurate and aligned with the particular needs of employers and workers in a given sector. Committee members’ contributions not only enhance the quality of IHSA’s offerings, but also ensure the continuous evaluation and improvement of those offerings—and the improvement of workplace health and safety overall.

In addition to their advisory role, these committees make recommendations and respond to requests from the PLMHSC and rest of the Labour-Management Network.

Transportation industry groups

While the transportation industry does not have Section 21 status, the Transportation Advisory Council plays an important advisory role. At its meetings, labour and management representatives—as well as staff from the Ministry of Transportation, MLITSD, and Employment and Social Development Canada—review and provide input on commercial transportation sector concerns. The council also selects transportation representatives for IHSA’s Board of Directors, which further solidifies its role in shaping industry health and safety standards.

A second group, the Fleet Safety Council, is a broad-based association of more than 500 driver trainers and safety professionals in the transportation, bus, coach, and related industries. Each of its eight regional chapters hosts multiple meetings throughout the year to discuss fleet- and road-safety issues of both national and regional importance. These gatherings aim to improve carrier performance and driver behaviour through better awareness, education, and training. They also present opportunities for engagement with representatives from government, the insurance industry, law enforcement, and other sectors. This helps to ensure the Fleet Safety Council remains proactively informed about trends and regulatory changes affecting the transportation industry.

Member matters

The Labour-Management Network’s greatest asset is its knowledgeable and engaged membership. Committees often have openings for new members to join—and help improve the health and safety of Ontario workers by:

• Engaging in community outreach to raise awareness of hazards, controls, and best practices.
• Participating in the development, review, and revision of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidelines.
• Advocating for health and safety improvements within specific regions, trades, or sectors by consulting on legislative reviews and CSA standards.
• Sharing technical and industry expertise with IHSA to assist in the creation of manuals, advisories, and other resources.

Committee members gain opportunities to network with industry peers, IHSA consultants, business owners, health and safety educators, and public-sector officials. They also learn about best practices, equipment advances, emerging trends, and legislative changes.