Workplace violence hazards and risks
Workplace violence—including harassment and sexual harassment—is a serious issue that can affect workplaces of all industries and sectors. Beyond immediate physical and mental harm, violence in the workplace can prevent employees from doing their jobs effectively, increase absenteeism, lead to high turnover, and lower overall morale.
All workplaces must take steps to prevent and address workplace violence. Starting with a workplace violence risk assessment, workplaces can identify activities with their highest risk for workplace violence.
Engage with an expert
Our expert health and safety consultants can help you identify risks of workplace violence and harassment and implement policies and procedures to address them.
Employer obligations
Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers are required to investigate and address workplace violence and take every reasonable effort to protect their workers, which can include:
- developing a workplace violence policy and reviewing it annually
- conducting risk assessments to identify potential sources of workplace violence
- implementing a workplace violence program that includes:
- measures to control identified risks
- procedures for reporting incidents
- steps for investigating and addressing complaints
- disclosing information about individuals with a known history of violent behaviour if there is a potential risk to others, while respecting privacy laws
- taking every reasonable precaution to protect workers from violence and threats, including from clients, patients, students, or members of the public
- informing employees of their right to refuse unsafe work if they believe they are at risk of workplace violence
Addressing workplace violence with PSHSA
Our trained and knowledgeable experts can support workplaces in mitigating the risks of violence in their workplaces in many ways, including:
Risk assessments
Complete a risk assessment on your own using a risk assessment tool or choose to work alongside one of our experts to identify, evaluate, and analyze the impact of potential hazards through a specialized assessment.
Learn more about risk assessments
Create or update existing policies, programs, and procedures
Enhance prevention efforts, improve awareness, reduce risk, and provide clear next steps following reported incidents with clear, well-defined policies, programs, and procedures.
Learn more about policy and procedure reviews
Audit your current health and safety program
Receive an expert audit of your current health and safety program, including workplace violence, and determine your status to inform you of the next steps.
Additional resources for employers
Workplace Violence Risk Assessment Tools in Any Sector
This toolkit contains several workplace violence risk assessments that can be used by organizations of any sector who are developing their workplace violence policies and programs.
Additional resources
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Bullying In The Workplace HandbookGuides & Toolkits
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Domestic Violence Safety PlanTemplates
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Workplace BullyingGuides & Toolkits
Workplace violence in education
All school staff—teachers, education assistants, office staff, principals, vice-principals, maintenance workers, and bus drivers—are at risk of experiencing or witnessing workplace violence and aggression. Teachers and education assistants, however, report the highest incidents.
PSHSA, in collaboration with school community members, has developed resources aimed at preventing workplace violence and protecting all school workers.
Risk assessment toolkit for school boards
This toolkit helps school boards meet their legal responsibilities and protect staff from workplace violence. It includes practical resources to prevent injuries and mitigate the consequences of violent incidents.
Access and download the toolkit
Workplace violence in healthcare
Workplace violence remains a serious risk in healthcare settings, affecting both staff and patients, residents, and clients. It’s a complex issue that requires targeted prevention strategies.
PSHSA has collaborated with key healthcare community members to create a microsite with resources designed to address this challenge, reduce violence, and support healthcare employers in building effective workplace violence programs.
workplace-violence.ca
This site is home to several free resources, including:
- Five steps to build your workplace violence prevention program
- Violence, Aggression & Responsive Behaviour (VARB) Toolkits
- Prevention resources with a focus in nursing care in hospitals
- Prevention resources for hospital, community care, and long term care
Engage with an expert
Our expert health and safety consultants can help you identify risks of workplace violence and harassment and implement policies and procedures to address them.