Step 2 – The Five Steps to Building your Workplace Violence Program

Step 2 – Assessing your program needs

 The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to assess the risks of workplace violence that may arise due to the nature of the workplace, the type of work, or the conditions of work.¹

You are encouraged to involve workers, supervisors, joint health and safety and/ or workplace violence prevention committees, health and safety representatives, and/or unions in this process.¹

Assessing the risks associated with workplace violence should include an assessment of:

• Internal documents such as:
  • Employee feedback from company “suggestion boxes”;
  • Security logs;
  • Reports about emergencies, incidents and accidents;
  • The minutes from joint health and safety committee meetings;
  • Workplace inspection reports;
  • Reports generated through collective agreements;
  • High-level Employee Assistance Program usage reports (which do not identify individuals);
  • Grievances; or,
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board claims.¹
• The organization’s physical environment;
• The work setting and clients;
• Community workplace violence issues;
• Point-of-care work practices;
• Staff perceptions.²

Risk Assessment Resources:

• Assess the physical environment, work setting and work practices – SASWH Workplace Violence Risk Assessment tools for:
  • Acute Care (Tools- Workplace Violence Risk Assessment)
  • Long Term Care (Tools- Workplace Violence Risk Assessment)
  • Community Care Handbook and tools (Tools- Workplace Violence Risk Assessment)
  • Point of Care Work Practice Assessment (Resources)

References:
1. Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO) Workplace Violence Prevention Series – Developing Workplace Violence and Harassment Policies and Programs: What Employers Need to Know;
2. PSHSA – A guide to the Development of a Workplace Violence Prevention Program: Implementing the Program in your Workplace.