Violence in the Workplace Worker Training Module 2

1. Violence in the WorkplaceWorker Training Module 2 Worker Focused Safety Program

2. Module 2Legal and Regulation Worker Focused Safety Program

3. What this module will cover • Legal requirements • Definitions and duties

4. WorkSafeBC Regulations • 4.29 Procedures and policies • If a risk of injury to workers from violence is identified by an assessment performed under section 4.28 the employer must: • establish procedures, policies and work environment arrangements to eliminate the risk to workers from violence, and • if elimination of the risk to workers is not possible, establish procedures, policies and work environment arrangements to minimize the risk to workers

5. WorkSafeBC Regulation • 4.27 Definition • In sections 4.28 to 4.31 • "violence" means the attempted or actual exercise by a person, other than a worker, of any physical force so as to cause injury to a worker, and includes any threatening statement or behaviour which gives a worker reasonable cause to believe that he or she is at risk of injury

6. Legal Requirements • Risk assessment required if reasonable and credible potential for assault exists. OH&S Regulation Section 4.28

7. Protecting Workers from Violence • Develop written procedures • Ensure staff understand the procedures • Ensure staff follow the procedures • Reporting incidents • Investigate incident • Eliminate risk, where not possible • Mitigate risk to lowest possible level OH&S Regulation Section 4.29

8. Employers’ Responsibilities • Provide instruction, training and supervision to ensure health and safety of workers • Ensure plan includes spare-board, temporary employees and Itinerants Workers’ Compensation Act Section 115

9. Workers’ Responsibilities • Follow safe work procedures • Report hazards to supervisor or employer

10. Workplace violence • Three main types of violence • Verbal abuse/threats • Threatening behaviour • Physical assault Any of these behaviours alone or together constitute an incident

11. Verbal abuse vs. threats • Are abuse and threats different? • Abuse may be intended to hurt the feelings or humiliate someone, while threats may create fear and cause concern for their safety • The use of profanity doesn’t necessarily constitute a threat, however combined with other actions and behaviours it may escalate to threatening behaviour.

12. SD61 Committment The Board shall not tolerate any intended act of violence in the premises, on its property or during any school-sanctioned activity. Acts of violence shall be considered as a serious threat to the school environment and to the safety of both students and staff and shall be dealt with in accordance with legislation and regulation.

13. Privacy Issues • Sections 33.1(1)f and 33.2(e) of FIPPA allow for disclosure of personal information: • If the information is necessary to protect a worker’s safety • If disclosure will lead to changes in work practices to reduce the risk of injury • Contact Manager, Occupational Health & Safety

14. Worker Responsibilities • Follow safe work procedures • Ensure you read and understand documents related to your level of risk: • Threat synopsis, safety plans, Behavioural plans • Sign-off on documents indicating you are aware of specific risks and protocols • Report threats of violence to Administrator • Participate in violence training sessions

15. Questions…