Safety Committees
The Workers Compensation Act requires that most Employers in the province have a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC).
Due to the number of staff and workers at UBC and the diversity of occupations and relative hazards, UBC has chosen to implement three JOHSCs at the Okanagan Campus.
JOHSC – AVP Students
UBC aims to provide a safe workplace for all employees, students, and visitors. In order to enhance our safety culture, UBC’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees (JOHSCs) are accountable directly to their Vice President’s portfolio.
| Jeff Stonehouse | BCGEU | Library | Worker Co-Chair |
| Carla Lanigan | BCGEU | Wellness and Accessibility Services | Worker Representative |
| Jackie Toews | BCGEU | Athletics & Recreation | Worker Representative |
| Amy Lauterbacher | M&P | Disability Resource Centre | Employer Co-Chair |
| Christine Squire | M&P | Academic and Career Development | Employer Representative |
| Robyn Bunn | M&P | Student Experience Office | Employer Representative |
| Jason McLeod | Non-voting | Health, Safety & Environment | Committee Resource |
| Sherry Petkau | Non-voting | AVP Students Office | Administrative Support |
JOHSC – Provost and VP Research
UBC aims to provide a safe workplace for all employees, students, and visitors. In order to enhance our safety culture, UBC’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees (JOHSCs) are accountable directly to their Vice President’s portfolio.
| Kaila Kalinocka | BCGEU | FCCS | Worker Representative |
| Kathy Rush | FA | FHDS | Worker Representative |
| Stephen O’Leary | FA | Engineering | Worker Co-Chair |
| Francois Miros | M&P | Engineering | Employer Co-Chair |
| Kristen Schuppener | M&P | Education | Employer Representative |
| Ieva Zigg | M&P | COGS | Employer Representative |
| Cherie Michels | Non-voting | Health, Safety & Environment | Committee Resource |
| Catherine Chirkoff | Non-voting | Health, Safety & Environment | Administrative Support |
JOHSC – AVP Finance and Operations
UBC aims to provide a safe workplace for all employees, students, and visitors. In order to enhance our safety culture, UBC’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees (JOHSCs) are accountable directly to their Vice President’s portfolio.
| Chris White | BCGEU | Facilities | Worker Co-Chair |
| Julie Forgie | BCGEU | Bookstore | Worker Representative |
| Jason Phillipo | BCGEU | Food Services | Worker Representative |
| Natalie Hobbs | BCGEU | Daycare | Worker Representative |
| Dani Korven | M&P | SHHS | Employer Representative |
| Roger Bizzotto | M&P | Facilities | Employer Representative |
| Troy Campbell | M&P | Campus Security | Employer Co-Chair |
| Adrian Hingston | Non-voting | Health, Safety & Environment | Committee Resource |
| Brooklyn Kuzyk | Non-voting | Campus Operations & Risk Management | Administrative Support |
Committee Training
All new members of a JOHSC are required to receive at least 8 hours of instruction and training as soon as practical, but no more than 6 months after being selected as a member of the JOHSC.
Committee Resources
Below you will find tools and templates to help you run your Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC).
- JOHSC minutes template
- JOHSC recommendation letter template
- JOHSC TOR template
- Building inspection checklist
University Health and Safety Policy
Under the Occupational and Research Health and Safety Policy SC1 (formerly Policy #7) UBC aims to eliminate unnecessary risks, injuries, and occupational diseases, from UBC’s workplace, teaching, and research environments. Refer to the full University Safety Policy.
Worksafe BC Inspection Reports
WorkSafeBC can inspect any UBC site. This section shares, tracks, and archives our official communications between WorkSafeBC and UBC Okanagan. Follow-up corrective actions may be required to address inspection reports.
- July 22, 2025: Notice of Compliance (Investigation of Serious Injury)
WorkSafeBC provided the attached Inspection Report to confirm receipt and review of UBC’s full investigation into an incident that occurred on June 3, 2025 - July 15, 2025: Notice of Compliance (Confined Space Program)
WorkSafeBC provided this Inspection Report to confirm closure/compliance with all orders from the June 13th Inspection Report. - June 13, 2025: Confined Space Program
WorkSafeBC attended as a result of an immediately reportable incident where a worker was injured when they fell into a confined space. - May 14, 2025: Electrical Department
WorkSafeBC conducted an inspection of the electrical department at UBCO. - Nov 18, 2024: Emergency Washing Facilities
WorkSafeBC attended to review plans for emergency washing facilities serving UBCs new battery manufacturing lab in IP1.
For a list of all other communications between WorkSafeBC and UBC, please click here.