Workers Health & Safety Centre

Worker learns about workplace violence

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE RESOURCES

Bill 168, An Act to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to violence and harassment in the workplace came into force on June 15, 2010. Representing the most significant changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act in decades, these amendments to the Act set forth tremendous obligations for employers.

Is your workplace compliant? Many are not. Workplace violence and harassment provisions now top the list of issues upon which compliance orders are written. Workers, especially in education and health care sectors, are increasingly the subject of workplace violence and harassment.

Compliance Checklists

The Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) has developed two compliance checklists. One checklist helps workers determine if their employer is in compliance with the law and the second checklist helps employers determine what they need to do in order to comply with the law.

Chief among these obligations is the requirement for employers to develop and implement workplace violence and harassment policies and program(s). To this end the employer must also provide all workers with information and instruction on the content of these workplace policies and related measures. The law also requires measures to address domestic violence as a potential source of workplace violence.

Download checklists now.
For employers
For workers

Hazard Bulletins

The Workers Health & Safety Centre publishes and updates single sheet bulletins helping to raise awareness around specific occupational hazards or issues. Three such bulletins have been published on the issue of violence and/or harassment, its impact on the workplace and what can be done to prevent it.

Download bulletins now.
Domestic Violence in the Workplace: breaking the silence
Workplace Harassment: from investigation to prevention
Workplace Violence: predictable and preventable

Workplace Violence and Harassment Training

To help workplaces comply with the legislation, the WHSC offers a Workplace Violence and Harassment Program. The three-hour training program covers essentials for those creating a new workplace-specific program or evaluating an existing workplace violence program. Among other things WHSC training participants will discuss:

  • Definitions of workplace violence, harassment, domestic violence and bullying;
  • Legislative requirements;
  • Behaviour(s) that could be considered harassment;
  • Sources of workplace violence;
  • Causes of workplace violence;
  • Warning signs of workplace violence;
  • Related risk factors and their assessment; and
  • Eliminating or controlling risk factors.

Participants will also cover information important to addressing domestic violence, including:

  • Signs a victim of domestic violence may exhibit;
  • Signs a perpetrator of domestic violence may exhibit;
  • Components of an effective domestic violence program;
  • What employers, JHSC, co-workers can do to assist the victim of domestic violence; and
  • Domestic violence resources.

To learn more email us at contactus@whsc.on.ca or call a WHSC training service representative today, 1.888.869.7950.