Adding to the growing list of workplace violence resources, the Workers Health & Safety Centre has recently released two fact sheets aimed at helping raise awareness of this significant health and safety issue. Both are part of a popular series of publications known as WHSC Resource Lines.

Specifically, the existing WHSC workplace violence Resource Lines has been updated to reflect requirements of Ontario’s new workplace violence law. Meantime, a related issue of domestic violence is introduced and explored in a new WHSC Resource Lines. Domestic Violence in the Workplace: breaking the silence. This fact sheet outlines how domestic violence can become a workplace issue and highlights the precautionary responsibilities now legally required of  employers who are “aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that domestic violence that would likely expose a worker to physical injury may occur in the workplace."

On June 15, 2010, Bill 168, An Act to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to violence and harassment in the workplace officially came into force. These amendments have placed significant duties on employers relating to workplace violence and harassment as well as domestic violence related to the workplace.

Chief among these duties is the requirement for employers to develop and implement a workplace violence and harassment policy and program(s) to implement the policy. To this end the employer must also provide all workers with information and instruction on the content of these policies and related measures. The new law also mandates specific actions by employers to address work-related domestic violence.

The WHSC has also developed a new Workplace Violence and Harassment program to help prepare workplaces to fully comply with the new legislation. This three-hour training program covers essentials for those creating the newly mandated workplace-specific violence and harassment policies and programs or evaluating an existing program.  In addition to this new program, the WHSC has developed two compliance checklists. One helps workers determine if their employer is in compliance and the second helps employers determine how they can comply.

Want to read the WHSC’s Resource Lines on workplace violence?

Want to read the WHSC's Resource Lines on domestic violence in the workplace?

Want to read the WHSC violence and harassment legal compliance checklist for workers?

Want to read the WHSC violence and harassment legal compliance checklist for employers?

Want to read Bill 168, An Act to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act?

Want to read the Ministry of Labour’s guidelines for workplace violence and harassment legislation?

Want to know more about the WHSC’s new Workplace Violence and Harassment program? Call 1-888-869-7950 and ask to speak to a training service representative or contact a WHSC near you.