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Conference Session
B3: Building Psychological Safety: Joint Health and Safety Committee Responsibilities
Speaker | Ray Geldreich, B. MGT, CRSP, CHSC, Health Sciences Association of Alberta
In this session, we will explore the critical role that Joint Workplace Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs) play in promoting and ensuring psychological safety in the workplace. We will begin with a brief overview of JHSCs, including their legal requirements and foundational structure.
Key topics include:
– The importance of worker participation in developing effective workplace mental health programs.
-Essential competencies for JHSC members to effectively contribute to workplace mental health initiatives.
-The vital role of committee involvement in fostering a culture of psychological safety.
Participants will gain insights into best practices for engaging workers, understand the key responsibilities of JHSC members, and learn how to leverage their committees to create a supportive and mentally healthy work environment. This session is designed for anyone involved in workplace health and safety, mental health program development, or organizational leadership.
Speaker Biography
Ray Geldreich, B. MGT, CRSP, CHSC, Health Sciences Association of Alberta
Ray Geldreich is the Senior Health Safety and Wellness Advisor with the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), a trade union representing 29 000 skilled healthcare professionals across Alberta. In this role, Ray works with HSAA members and their employers to reduce workers’ risk of physical and mental injuries through education and advocacy. Ray is a certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor through the Canadian Mental Health Association. In addition, Ray is an accredited facilitator of workplace mental health training programs for frontline staff and Healthcare leaders through the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Ray also serves on several technical committees tasked with developing and maintaining National Safety Standards to protect Canadian workers’ physical and mental health. Ray holds a Bachelor of Human Resources and Labor Relations from the University of Lethbridge and is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional.