Workers Health & Safety Centre

Security company fined for non-compliance with violence and harassment orders

Security guards talk to each other by walkie talkie
A company providing security services was recently fined $70,000 for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) relating to workplace violence and harassment.
 
Ontario employers have significant legal obligations to address workplace violence and harassment. Chief among these duties 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 policies and related measures.
 
In October, 2014, a Ministry of Labour (MOL) inspector attended Oshawa City Hall following an injury suffered by a worker employed by Federal Force Protection Agency (FFPA). Ten orders were issued to FFPA relating to employer obligations including the need to assess violence and harassment risks, develop a workplace violence and harassment policy and a program to implement the policy including worker training.  
 
In a follow-up inspection in March, 2015, notices of non-compliance were issued for seven of the 10 orders relating to various parts of section 32 of the Act.
 
According to a recent Ministry of Labour press release, FFPA was fined $10,000 for each of the seven counts of non-compliance.
 
Want to read the MOL press release about this conviction?
 
Want to read section 32 of the Act outlining obligations related to workplace violence and harassment?
 
For our part, the Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) offers a range of resources and a three-hour Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention Training program designed to help workplace parties better understand workplace violence, harassment and bullying and to fully comply with legal obligations. We also offer training programs to help employers meet the training and competency requirements for supervisors.
 
Want to access WHSC violence and harassment resources and other related information?
WHSC workplace violence resources, including employer and worker checklists    
MOL issues code of practice on workplace harassment
Workers’ right to harassment-free workplace extends to employer run social media
New Ontario law expands employer duties to address workplace sexual harassment

To learn more:
Visit:    www.whsc.on.ca 
Email:  contactus@whsc.on.ca
Call:     1-888-869-7950 and ask to speak to a WHSC training services representative.