Violence in the workplace

The negative impact of workplace violence is significant. This Safety Swap provides information about the role that workplace safety and health committees play in violence prevention and what to do if a violent incident takes place in the workplace.

Use this Safety Swap to kick-start your next committee meeting

1. How does the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation define Violence?

Part 11 of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (WSH Regulation) 217/2006 defines “violence” to mean:

• the attempted or actual exercise of physical force against a person; and
• any threatening statement or behaviour that give a person reasonable cause to believe that physical force will be used against the person.

When a workplace is subject to Part 11 of the WSH Regulation, the employer must assess the risk of violence in the workplace, create and implement a violence prevention policy and be prepared to investigate an incident of violence.

2. Does Part 11 of the WSH Regulation apply to
all workplaces?

A workplace is subject to Part 11 of the WSH Regulation and must have a violence prevention policy if the workplace involves any of the following services or businesses:

• Healthcare services (see the WSH Regulation for further information
• Pharmaceutical-dispensing• Education
• Financial
• Police, corrections or other law enforcement
• Security
• Crisis counselling and intervention
• Public transportation if the workplace is a taxi cab or a transit bus
• Retail sales (between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.)
• Is a licensed premises (within the meaning of The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act)

If your workplace does not provide the services or businesses listed above, your employer is still required to assess the risk for violence at your workplace. If the
assessment identifies a risk of violence to a worker, your workplace is subject to Part 11 of the WSH Regulation and must develop a violence prevention policy.

What is the committee’s role in violence
prevention?

• Encourage worker awareness about violence prevention and the workplace violence prevention policy.
• Participate with the employer to conduct workplace violence risk assessments.
• Bring safety concerns forward to the employer for resolution.
• Review the annual report of incidents of violence and make recommendations as necessary.
• Understand the workplace violence prevention policy and be a part of the consultation process for developing and reviewing the policy.

What are the risk factors associated with
violence in the workplace?

• Working alone or in small groups
• Working in isolated locations
• Working with the public
• Handling money or valuables, including drugs, liquor or tobacco
• Working at night or early in the morning
• Working with drugs, liquor or tobacco
• Working in public buildings or areas
• Having workers who are new to the job including newcomers to Canada and young workers
• Working in areas with a history of violence or crime
• Previous incidents of violence in the workplace

Top tips

• Ensure both employers and workers take part in assessing the risk of violence in the workplace.
• When employers identify risks during an assessment, a violence prevention policy should be developed and put in place.
• Encourage awareness and training for violence prevention.
• Be aware of your personal safety.

Share your ideas!

If you would like to share your best practices with other safety and health committee leaders, we’d like to hear from you. Contact us for more information.