The Department of Health has alerted schools to rename their health and safety committees.

In a memo sent to educators, the Department of Health said such groups should now be referred to as safety and health committees.

The name change is a result of updated legislation.

On July 29, 2004, the title of the Act was changed from Health and Safety at Work to Occupational Safety and Health Act. The recent regulations made by the Minister of Health are entitled the 'Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2009'.

This change came about as a result of a directive from the International Labour Organization to all countries of the world to ensure that the focus is on occupational safety and occupational health.