In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown of non-essential businesses, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation released guidance to provide temporary relief of certain Workplace Safety Committee certification requirements. As you are aware, the pandemic has continued to affect Commonwealth businesses during the last year. During that time, it became necessary for many organizations to adopt alternative policies and procedures in order to continue or resume business operations. The bureau has and will continue to provide virtual training and meeting options as a means of continuing safety committee operations while maintaining social distancing. Some safety committees found ways to meet safely in person. Others continue to meet virtually or instituted blended options. During these times, it is imperative as ever, that safety committees endeavor to fulfill the requirements of the regulations which require regular monthly meetings.

The regulations governing certification of Workplace Safety Committees require that committee members receive annual training and committees meet monthly. Safety committees must continue to find ways to meet monthly. It is also required that committee members continue to attend annual mandated training. Failure to satisfy these minimum requirements could have impacts upon the application for certification approval. One additional customer service reminder, statutorily mandated application timeframes must be adhered to and could impact certification approval.   Please refer to the below Q&As for additional clarification and information or visit the Labor & Industry Certification website at www.dli.pa.gov/HandS for additional information.

Q:    Our committee missed a few meetings earlier in the year due to COVID. Can we still apply for certification?

A:    Yes.  We will still consider your committee for certification if you missed meetings early in your policy period due to COVID and have since resumed monthly meetings.

Q:    Our committee has not met since the start of the pandemic. We do not have all employees reporting to work. Can we still apply for certification?

A:    No. We cannot certify committees who have been inactive during the entire period for which they wish to apply. If you need assistance concerning alternative meetings, please reach out to the Bureau’s Health & Safety Division at RA-LI-BWC-Safety@pa.gov

Q:    Not all of our members were trained this year. Can we still apply for certification?

A:     New members have up to one year to receive training. However, all members who have been active on the committee for at least a year must have documented completion of safety committee training during the policy period for which the committee is seeking certification. The Bureau offers this training via webinar several times a month, at no charge, through the PATHS program. Visit www.dli.pa.gov/PATHS to learn more and register for an upcoming course.

Q.    Our committee meetings have not maintained a quorum of committee members at all meetings. Can we still apply for certification?

A:    Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Bureau may still extend flexibility on the requirement for meeting quorum requirements (majority member attendance). This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and only valid, temporary COVID exceptions will be considered.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the bureau’s Health & Safety Division at RA-LI-BWC-Safety@pa.gov.