Worker Focused Safety Program

Violence in the Workplace Worker Training - Module 1

Worker Focused Safety Program

Module 1What, So What & Now What

What this module will coverOThe What

OThe So What

OThe Now What

The Whato Where a risk of injury to workers from violence is

identified employer must establish procedures, policies and work environment arrangements to try to eliminate the risk to workers from violence, and

o if elimination of the risk to workers is not possible, establish procedures, policies and work environment arrangements to minimize the risk to workers, and

o The employer must make a reasonable effort to ensure workers aware of the risk of violence proportional to the level of risk faced

The What - cont.

O “Violence" means the attempted or actual exercise by a person, other than a worker, of any physical force so as to cause injury to a worker, and includes any threatening statement or behaviour which gives a worker reasonable cause to believe that he or she is at risk of injury

The What - cont.General Risk Assessments

O An analysis of the general risk associated with working in the environment.

O Conducted by the JOH&S committee members

O Covers any thing or condition that may reasonably expose a person to risk of injury or occupational disease

The What - cont.Threat Risk Assessment

O Completed whenever a new or enhanced threat of violence against a worker is recognized O Recognition can come forward

through a number of avenues, for example:O A worker or a declaration of unsafe

workO A custodial parentO Members of the publicO Law enforcement or other credible

source

The So What

The employer must make a reasonable effort to:O Develop written proceduresO Ensure staff understand the proceduresO Ensure staff follow the proceduresO Reporting incidents O Investigate incidentO Eliminate risk, and where not possible

O Mitigate risk to lowest possible level

The So What – cont.OThe employer must:

O Provide instruction, training and supervision to ensure health and safety of workers

O Ensure plan includes spare-board, temporary employees and Itinerants

The So What – cont.The worker must:

O Follow safe work proceduresO Ensure they attend and engage in awareness

raising sessions around violence in the workplace

O Acknowledging awareness of risk mitigation procedures

O Report hazards to supervisor or employer

The So What – cont.Verbal Abuse vs. Threats

O Abuse may be intended to hurt the feelings or humiliate someone, while threats may create fear and cause concern for their safety

O The use of profanity doesn’t necessarily constitute a threat, however combined with other actions and behaviours it may escalate to threatening behaviour.

The Now What

The Board shall not tolerate any intended act of violence in the premises, on its property or during any school-sanctioned activity.

Acts of violence shall be considered as a serious threat to the school environment and to the safety of both students and staff and shall be dealt with in accordance with legislation and regulation.

The Now What – cont.Privacy Issues

OSections 33.1(1)f and 33.2(e) of FIPPA allow for disclosure of personal information:O If the information is necessary to protect a

worker’s safetyO If disclosure will lead to changes in work

practices to reduce the risk of injury

O Contact Manager, Occupational Health & Safety

The Now What – cont.OWorker Focused Safety Program

developed

O The District , in collaboration with the Unions and WorkSafeBC have developed a violence reduction program designed to enhance worker safety

The Now What – cont.OAwareness raising sessions

O Awareness raising or employee training sessions will be conducted regularly throughout the school year

O Sessions will concentrate on violence related issues and response practices and procedures

The Now What – cont.O The district will respond immediately to

new or enhanced credible threats of violence

O Issues that are already appropriately covered by the School Based Team and/or the District Behavioural Consultant will be referred back to them

The Now What – cont.Your Responsibilities

O Follow documented proceduresO Ensure you read and understand documents

related to your level of risk:O Threat synopsis, safety plans, Behavioural plans

O Sign-off on documents indicating you are aware of specific risks and protocols

O Report threats of violence to AdministratorO Participate in violence training sessions

Questions…