With a growing number of workers reporting physical and psychological threats or actions, WorkSafeBC is proposing changes to the harassment and violence policy—and they want your feedback.

The proposed changes—which will affect your violence prevention program—seek to create a single comprehensive framework in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. This will include:

• A single definition for behavioural hazards (harassment and violence), for workplace and non-workplace parties, including behaviour that harmfully targets an individual’s personal characteristics, such as race or gender.
• The requirement of a risk assessment for any potential harassment and violence.
• A written harassment and violence prevention program for all employers.
• The removal of the “advice to consult a physician” section in the original policy.
• Allowing employers to resolve incidents without an investigation where the source of the harassment or violence is internal to the organization (such as a co-worker). If the source is external, investigations are required.

This is your chance to have an impact on regulations that impact your work. Send your feedback to WorkSafeBC here. The deadline is 4:30 p.m. on October 30.

If you have any questions about your program, or if you would like to send your feedback to us, email Jennifer Derksen at jderksen@safecarebc.ca.