Violence in the Workplace

Violence in the workplace is a health and safety hazard. Supervisors must ensure that the risk of violence in their workplace is assessed on an annual basis and that control measures are in place, including employee training and education. The Learning Centre offers two related courses:

• OHS Mitigating Workplace Violence
• OHS De-escalation Techniques and Personal Safety Strategies - Workplace Violence Prevention

Register at the Learning System.

Violence Risk Assessment & Prevention Program

Workplace violence can extend beyond the actual workplace, occurring for example while an employee is traveling for work, working offsite or working after hours. Supervisors are responsible for taking steps to protect workers from workplace violence. A supervisor must annually assess the risk of violence to their staff, by reviewing at a minimum

• Any previous violent incidents in the workplace
• Violent incidents in similar workplaces
• The location and circumstances of the work being completed
• Changes to the workplace since the last assessment (if completed)

Once the assessment is complete, safety procedures, policies and work area arrangements can be created to eliminate or reduce the risk of violence.

Employees may require training in

• Workplace specific violence prevention procedures such as de-escalation
• Response to violence incidents
• Reporting violent incidents

Note that workplace violence can extend beyond the actual workplace, occurring for example while an employee is traveling for work, working offsite or working after hours.

If you require immediate assistance with a potential targeted threat of violence, contact the BC Public Service Agency 24-hour emergency safety line at 1 250 952-0911. This number is for employees of the BC Provincial Government and their managers only.  If you are not employed by the BC Provincial Government please call WorkSafe BC at 1.888.621.SAFE (7233).