Worker Focused Safety Program

Violence in the WorkplaceWorker Training Module 7

Worker Focused Safety Program

Module 7Domestic Violence

What this module will coverO Domestic Violence

O DefinitionO How We Know, Now We KnowO ResponsibilitiesO Safety ResponseO Who gets to knowO Conclusion

IntroductionOAlthough we sometimes think of

domestic violence as a private, family problem, it does not stop when your employees come to work.

OAs workplace incidents have proven, domestic violence can have deadly consequences.

Workplace AvenuesODomestic violence can enter the

workplace through:O Disruptive phone callsO Harassing emailsO Inappropriate visits by the abuserO Threats of harm to the victim’s co-workersO Physical violence in the workplace

Legal ObligationsO According to the Workers Compensation Act

(sections 172–177) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (s4.24–4.31), employers have a legal duty to protect workers from violence arising out of their employment.

O Under certain circumstances, this may include violence arising from domestic situations.

Address the RiskOWhen you learn of a threat – assess the

risk – Use Threat Assessment Form

OAccording to the Regulation, employers must conduct a risk assessment if there is interaction between employees and persons other than co-workers that might lead to threats or assaults

Eliminate or Minimize RiskO If the threat of violence is imminent,

the Administrator will:O Contact the police immediately.O Take steps to eliminate or minimize

the risk to workers — for example, secure the premises.

O When non-imminent threats exist, employers must establish procedures, and practices to address the risk

Instructing WorkersO Inform staff of a hazard as soon as it is

identifiedO This includes any staff who may reasonably

encounter the individual posing the risk in the normal course of their employment

OThere is no duty to inform all workersO A balance must be struck between the

obligation to inform and worker confidentiality

ResponseO If a violent incident occurs, obligations

under sections 172 to 177 of the Workers Compensation Act and s3.4 of the Regulation to report and/or investigate the incident and take the appropriate action are initiated

O If a worker is injured in a violent workplace incident, advise her/him to consult with a physician

SummaryOSD61 takes all forms of domestic abuse

seriously, including criminal harassment (stalking)

OActs and threats of violence, stalking, and breaching protection orders are all crimes and will be reported to the police

Questions…