JHSC certification changes 2026: what committee members and employers need to know

Published October 25, 2026 · Last reviewed October 25, 2026

Ontario’s amended joint health and safety committee (JHSC) certification standards took effect on July 31, 2026. The main JHSC certification changes in 2026 are a new hybrid delivery mode, recertification through refresher training instead of retaking Parts One and Two, the end of the one-time exemption, and stronger workplace violence and harassment content. Here is what changed and what it means for your joint health and safety committee.

The effective date is July 31, 2026

You may see “July 1” in some summaries. The ministry’s program standard for JHSC training says the program standard, the provider standard, and the training and other requirements for certified members were “amended effective July 31, 2026.” The previous requirements, in effect since June 30, 2021, continued until July 30, 2026.

If you are already certified, you keep your certification. The standard says members deemed certified by the CPO, or certified under the 1996 standards, “will maintain their certifications after July 31, 2026.” Members certified under the 2016 to 2021 requirements stay certified as long as they complete refresher training on time. Part One and Part Two programs approved under the 2015, 2020 and 2021 standards still count toward certification.

A quick refresher on the basics

Under section 9 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), a JHSC is required at a workplace where twenty or more workers are regularly employed, among other cases.
Unless otherwise prescribed, at least one employer member and one worker member must be certified (subsection 9(12)). This does not apply to a project with fewer than fifty regular workers or expected to last less than three months.
Certification means completing an approved Part One program, then an approved Part Two program within 12 months, covering at least six hazards relevant to the member’s workplace. The Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) then certifies the member.
Certified members must complete approved refresher training within three years of certification, and then within three years of each refresher.
Employers must keep proof of their workers’ JHSC certification and show it to an inspector on request, according to the ministry’s JHSC training page.

What changed

The ministry groups the July 2026 changes under three goals: accessibility, processes and quality of learning.

1. Hybrid learning is now allowed

The standard defines hybrid learning as a model where “some learners attend training in-person, while others join virtually,” and the learning is live for everyone. Hybrid courses must meet the CPO’s Hybrid Learning Guidelines. The provider standard adds a “producer,” a person who supports the technical side so distance learners can take part fully. Minimum hours for hybrid delivery match face-to-face:

Part One: three days (19.5 hours)
Part Two: two days (13 hours)
Refresher: one day (6.5 hours)

The other delivery modes remain: face-to-face, distance learning, eLearning and blended learning. eLearning and blended learning are limited to Part One. A fully eLearning Part One has a 13-hour minimum and must be completed within 30 days; blended Part One may include up to 6.5 hours of eLearning. The standard states that no eLearning or blended delivery is permitted for Part Two or refresher training.

2. Expired certification can be restored with a refresher

Before, a member whose certification expired had to retake Parts One and Two. Now, the requirements say that a member whose certification is revoked for missing the refresher deadline “may complete” an approved refresher program “to become certified.” Missing the deadline still ends your certification, so the three-year clock still matters.

3. The one-time exemption is gone

The program standard lists “removing the one-time exemption process” as one of the changes. That exemption let an active certified member extend certification for three years without refresher training. Some ministry pages updated before July 2026 still describe it, so check with the ministry before relying on any exemption.

4. Stronger violence and harassment learning outcomes

The current Part One outcomes require learners to describe the employer’s duties to inform, provide information to, or consult the JHSC on workplace violence and harassment, including:

the committee’s role in being consulted on the written workplace harassment policy (the OHSA itself requires consultation on the written harassment program, section 32.0.6) and being told the results of the workplace violence risk assessment (see what the JHSC must be consulted on for harassment and violence);
the employer’s duty to give the JHSC written notice of incidents of workplace violence;
the link between inappropriate behaviour, for example behaviour stemming from racism, and harassment or violence;
that workplace harassment includes sexual harassment;
the Human Rights Code right to be free from racial discrimination and harassment in employment;
the elements of comprehensive workplace violence and workplace harassment policies and programs.

This lines up with recent law. The Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 (Bill 190) added harassment done “virtually through the use of information and communications technology” to the OHSA definitions, effective October 28, 2024. Our article on Ontario employer mental health obligations covers the violence and harassment duties, including this change, in detail.

5. A stronger code of ethics

The provider standard now expects providers, instructors and evaluators to maintain respectful conduct toward learners and ministry staff. It says harassment, discrimination and violations of personal safety, human rights or dignity “will not be tolerated” and could lead to rejection of an application or revocation of a provider’s approval. For distance and hybrid classes, providers must set expectations for a healthy and accessible learning environment.

6. Occupational illness and clearer expectations

The ministry also lists “strengthening learning in areas such as Occupational Illness” and “clarifying learning expectations.” It does not publish a detailed list of what changed here.

What the standard says about psychological health

The program standard touches psychological health in two places:

Psychosocial hazards. Part One teaches six hazard categories: physical, chemical, biological, musculoskeletal, psychosocial and safety.
Members’ own wellbeing. In the outcome on investigating fatalities, critical injuries and work refusals, the standard includes advising learners that a JHSC member “may experience workplace stress or trauma and should seek assistance if required.”

The ministry’s list of July 2026 changes does not name either item, so we do not describe them as new. The learning outcomes focus on law, committee function, and recognizing, assessing and controlling hazards. They do not set out skills such as starting a supportive conversation with a colleague or responding to someone in crisis.

What it means for committee members

Check your certification date and plan your JHSC refresher training well before the three-year mark.
If your certification has lapsed, ask an approved provider about refresher training to become certified again.
If you cannot travel, look for an approved provider offering distance or hybrid delivery.
Investigations and serious incidents can take a toll. Take the standard’s advice and seek help if you need it; see looking after JHSC members’ own mental health. In a crisis, call or text 9-8-8, or call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

What it means for employers

Track every certified member’s refresher date. Without the one-time exemption, a missed refresher means a lapsed certification.
Keep proof of certification on file for inspectors.
The program standard says employers should choose Part Two hazards through a workplace hazard assessment done in consultation with the JHSC. If psychosocial hazards show up in that assessment, raise them when selecting Part Two training.
Expect better-informed questions from your committee about your violence and harassment policies, programs, risk assessments and incident notices.

Where broader psychological health training fits

JHSC certification is a legal requirement, and only CPO-approved programs from approved providers count. Bedrock Minds is not JHSC certification training, and the CPO has not endorsed it. It sits alongside certification.

Our Champion stream is written for supervisors, HR, program leads and JHSC members. It covers finding hazards, building a plan and measuring results, mapped to the 13 workplace factors in CSA Z1003, a voluntary standard. The in-person practical day includes a tabletop exercise on a critical event and a mini-audit role, and Champions finish with a written 90-day plan for their own organization. See our page for committees for how it supports the work your JHSC already does.

Give your people a plan they have practised

Bedrock Minds combines online modules with one practical day where staff and leaders rehearse the conversations this article describes. Tell us about your team and we reply within one business day.

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This article is general information, not legal advice.