All employers in the state of New Hampshire with 5 or more full, part-time or seasonal employees must form a working Joint Loss Management Committee.

This committee is one type of safety committee and is a cooperative effort involving representatives from management and the employees working together to control workplace hazards.

This relationship allows the employees who are most familiar with a work task input regarding safeguards instituted in the work environment.

Typical Pitfalls of a JLMC:

• They try to do too much too soon.
  
• Poor direction from management.
  
• Lack of support from management.
  
• Lack of active participation from members
  
• Communication channels break down.
  
• Members of the committee do not know where to start or what to do.
  
• Members of the committee already have too many responsibilities.

Recommendations for Establishing an Effective Joint Loss Management Committee:

• Establish a representative membership, management and employees from all areas of employment.
  
• Let committee members suggest topics for involvement that are important to them and the area they represent.
  
• Let them develop pride in ownership.
  
• If it is their idea there is a greater chance of it working.
  
• Direct, don't dictate.
  
• Use the committee as a resource tool.
  
• Make obvious changes right away that everyone will see.
  
• Recognize the efforts of the individuals as well as the group.
  
• Train members in relevant topics, such as accident causes, investigation techniques, government regulations, etc.
  
• Follow a specific agenda during every meeting.
  
• Schedule the meeting on the same day of the month and at the same time so members will remember to be available for the meeting.
  
• Review incidents and near miss reports to assist in prioritizing action items.
  
• Post written minutes of the meetings in a central location for employees to review.
  
• Post meetings notice prior to the committee meeting and ask for topics or suggestions from employees.

The New Hampshire Law concerning Joint Loss Management Committees is found in
RSA 281-A:64.