Violence in the Workplace Worker Training Module 3

1. Violence in the WorkplaceWorker Training Module 3 Worker Focused Safety Program

2. Module 3Risk and Response Worker Focused Safety Program

3. What this module will cover • Risk of violence defined • Recognition • Awareness – Risk Assessments • Control Mechanisms • Response Procedures • Obtaining Assistance • Reporting Concerns

4. Risk of Violence Defined • “Violence" is 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

5. Verbal abuse vs. threats • Abuse may be intended to hurt the feelings or humiliate someone, while threats may create fear and cause concern for their safety • The use of profanity doesn’t necessarily constitute a threat, however combined with other actions and behaviours it may escalate to threatening behaviour.

6. Recognizing Violence • Three main types of violence • Verbal abuse/threats • Threatening behaviour • Physical assault Any of these behaviours alone or together constitute an incident

7. Legal Requirements • Risk assessment required if credible potential for threats or assaults exists • Risk Assessments fall into two principal categories: • General Risk Assessment, and • Threat to a Worker – Risk Assessment OH&S Regulation Section 4.28

8. General Risk Assessments • An analysis of the general risk associated with working in the environment. • Conducted by the JOH&S committee members • Covers any thing or condition, including violence, that may reasonably expose a person to risk of injury or occupational disease

9. Threat Assessment • Completed whenever a new or enhanced threat of violence against a worker is recognized • Recognition can come forward through a number of avenues, for example: • A worker or a declaration of unsafe work • A custodial parent • Members of the public • Law enforcement or other credible source

10. Control Mechanisms • Analyze Level of Risk • Eliminate risk, and where not possible • Mitigate risk to lowest possible level • Written procedures • Ensure staff understand the procedures • Ensure staff follow the procedures • Reporting incidents • Investigate incident

11. Control Mechanisms • Analyze Level of Risk • This is done through the General Risk Analysis and or the Threat Risk Analysis, both conducted by Administration and JOH&S representation • Eliminate or Mitigate Risk • This is done through analysis of risk assessments; including • Consultation to determine and document appropriate safeguards and procedures

12. Control Mechanisms • Written Procedures • Documented in the Student Safety Plans, Behavioural Plans and Threat Synopsis Sheets • Includes specific threat behaviors and appropriate mitigation responses • Copies of all documents are the responsibility of the Site Administrator

13. Control Mechanisms • Communication and Understanding • All workers are advised of general risks • Specific risks are communicated through targeted documents: • Risk of casual contact is recorded in the Threat Synopsis document. • Detailed risk response and control documents will be reviewed by workers that have significant contact

14. Obtaining Assistance • When faced with a threat or act or violence: • If the threat is known and documented follow the plan established by the School Based Team and/or the District Behavioural Consultant • For a new or undocumented threat call for assistance, and notify administration, do not put yourself in harms way • Follow posted worksite procedures

15. Workers’ Responsibilities • Follow safe work procedures as outlined in most recently developed and approved plan • Workers who have not signed off on having read and understanding the plan may be restricted from working with that individual or temporarily reassigned. • Report hazards to supervisor or employer • Protocols outlined in the Worker Focused Safety Program document will ensue

16. Refusal of Unsafe Work • Ever worker can make a declaration of unsafe work if they have reasonable cause to believe that to continue working would create an undue hazard to him/herself or to others • Make this declaration to your Administrator and they will initiate process • Contact Manager, Occupational Health & Safety

17. Reasonable Cause • WSBC will apply an objective test in determining whether the worker had reasonable cause to believe that to continue working would create an undue hazard to him/herself or to others • Contact Manager, Occupational Health & Safety

18. Questions…