How long do Joint Committee members serve?

Two years, and they may be re-elected; in medium-sized and large companies, for up to two consecutive terms (DS 44/2024, Article 43).

How much notice is needed to call the election?

No less than 15 days before the vote (Article 27), and the election must be held at least 5 days before the Committee being replaced ends its term (Article 28).

When can the Labour Inspectorate step in?

If the election is not held on the due date, the Labour Inspector may call it (Article 30); if the Committee is not constituted, the Inspector constitutes it (Article 35). Complaints about the election are decided by the Labour Inspector (Article 34).

CL · Expiry & renewal tracking

Never let your company's Joint Health and Safety Committee go unrenewed

Every worksite with more than 25 workers must have a Joint Health and Safety Committee whose members serve two years and may be re-elected (Law 16.744, Article 66; DS 44 of 2024, Article 43). The employer names its representatives 15 days before the outgoing committee ends; the election is called with 15 days' notice.

In every industry or worksite with more than 25 workers, one or more Joint Health and Safety Committees (Comités Paritarios de Higiene y Seguridad) must operate (Law 16.744, Article 66). Their constitution and operation are governed by Supreme Decree 44 of 2024, issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which replaced DS 54 of 1969. The Committee is made up of three employer representatives and three worker representatives, each with an alternate (DS 44, Article 25). Members serve two years and may be re-elected; in medium-sized and large companies, as defined in Article 505 bis of the Labour Code, only for up to two consecutive terms (Article 43).

Renewal has deadlines: the employer appoints its representatives 15 days before the outgoing Committee's term ends, and if it does not, the representatives of the outgoing Committee stay in office (Article 26). The election of worker representatives is called and chaired by the President of the outgoing Committee, with no less than 15 days' notice before the vote (Article 27), and must be held at least 5 days before the Committee being replaced ends its term (Article 28). The new Committee starts work on the working day after the previous Committee's term ends (Article 35).

The constitution minutes must be registered on the Labour Directorate's website within 15 working days of the election (Article 36). The Committee holds an ordinary meeting once a month (Article 39). Members leave office when they stop working for the employer or miss two consecutive sessions without good cause (Article 44); alternates replace them and, once the alternates are used up, a complementary appointment or election is held (Article 45). Compliance with these rules is overseen exclusively by the Labour Directorate (Article 77).

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At a glance

When it is mandatory	Industry or worksite with more than 25 workers (Law 16.744, Article 66)
Term of office	2 years, re-electable; in medium-sized and large companies, up to two consecutive terms (DS 44, Article 43)
Composition	3 employer representatives and 3 worker representatives, each with an alternate (Article 25)
Employer appointments	15 days before the outgoing Committee's term ends (Article 26)
Calling the election	By the President of the outgoing Committee, with no less than 15 days' notice before the vote (Article 27)
Election date	At least 5 days before the Committee being replaced ends its term (Article 28)
Start of the new Committee	The working day after the previous Committee's term ends (Article 35)
Registration	Constitution minutes on the Labour Directorate's website within 15 working days of the election (Article 36)

If an entity, worksite, branch or agency with more than 25 workers has no Committee, the union president or, failing that, the longest-serving worker may call the election within 15 days of the quorum being reached; after that deadline, the employer must do so (Article 27). In that case the election is held 15 to 20 days after it is called (Article 28).

Who is responsible?

The employer appoints its representatives on time (DS 44, Article 26), registers the constitution minutes with the Labour Directorate (Article 36) and must provide the facilities and take the measures needed for the Committee to operate properly (Article 37). It must also ensure that elected members who lack the risk-prevention orientation course take it during the first half of their term (Article 32). Enforcement is the responsibility of the Labour Directorate (Article 77).

If the deadline passes

If the election is not held on the due date, the Labour Inspector may call the workers to hold it on a new date (DS 44, Article 30), and if the Committee is not constituted, the Labour Inspector constitutes it (Article 35). If the employer does not appoint its representatives in time, those of the outgoing Committee stay in office (Article 26). Oversight of the rules on the constitution and operation of Joint Committees rests exclusively with the Labour Directorate (Article 77).

Requirements and training for worker representatives

To be elected, a worker must be over 18, able to read and write, currently working for the employer with at least one year of service (a requirement that does not apply where more than 50% of workers have less than one year) and have attended a risk-prevention orientation course given by the insurance administrator, or have worked at least one year in the Risk Prevention Department (DS 44, Article 32). The employer must make it possible for at least one worker representative and one of its own representatives to attend, during their term, a 20-hour training course given by the insurance administrator (Article 32).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add the company, worksite or branch and record as the expiry the date the current Committee's two-year term ends, according to its constitution minutes; the 60- and 30-day reminders leave room to appoint the employer representatives and call the election with the 15 days' notice the regulation requires.
Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day.
The Committee secretary or the prevention officer can upload the new Committee's constitution minutes through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person, such as the risk-prevention or people manager; if the deadline passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How long do Joint Committee members serve?: Two years, and they may be re-elected; in medium-sized and large companies, for up to two consecutive terms (DS 44/2024, Article 43).
How much notice is needed to call the election?: No less than 15 days before the vote (Article 27), and the election must be held at least 5 days before the Committee being replaced ends its term (Article 28).
What if the employer does not appoint its representatives in time?: The representatives serving on the Committee whose term is ending stay in office (Article 26).
Where is the new Committee registered?: The constitution minutes are registered on the Labour Directorate's website within 15 working days of the election of the worker representatives (Article 36).
When can the Labour Inspectorate step in?: If the election is not held on the due date, the Labour Inspector may call it (Article 30); if the Committee is not constituted, the Inspector constitutes it (Article 35). Complaints about the election are decided by the Labour Inspector (Article 34).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 7, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for joint health and safety committee, member renewal (Chile)

A ready template for joint health and safety committee, member renewal (Chile) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each joint health and safety committee, member renewal (Chile) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each joint health and safety committee, member renewal (Chile) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.