WorkSafeBC Bullying and Harassment Training
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The first step in preventing workplace violence is conducting a risk assessment. If the assessment shows that there is a risk of violence, the employer must develop and implement a workplace violence prevention program. A workplace violence prevention program should be part of your overall health and safety program. It should be developed and implemented in co-operation with the joint health and safety committee or worker health and safety representative. The nature and extent of the program should be based on the results of the risk assessment.
The possibility of violence in the workplace in BC is an unfortunate reality. Employees who experience violence in the course of their work are covered under the Workers Compensation Act (the Act) in BC, and employers must provide a workplace as safe from the threat of violence as possible. The sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation in BC on violence in the workplace address workers’ protection from work-related threats and assaults. These sections of the Regulation require that you determine if there is a risk of violence, if so, as an employer you must set up procedures to eliminate or minimize the risks to your employees. These sections also require that you instruct workers on the hazards of workplace violence and on appropriate responses to violence. |
