Later this month, an amendment to the occupational health and safety provisions of The Saskatchewan Employment Act will come into force, requiring all provincially regulated workplaces to have a violence policy and prevention plan.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe when they come to work,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don McMorris said. “Having a violence policy and investigating all incidents is a step toward protecting workers from acts of violence.”
The amendment also ensures that students, post-secondary students, volunteers, and contract workers are covered under the provisions regarding violence and will take effect on May 17.
The policy statement and violence prevention plan must include:
- the employer’s commitment to minimize or eliminate risk and review the policy and plan every three years;
- identification of the worksite(s) where violent situations have occurred or may occur;
- identification of staff positions that have or could be exposed to violent situations;
- the procedures to inform workers about the nature and risk of violence at their place of employment, and any information the employer has about persons who have a history of violent behaviour who could become a risk to the workers;
- the actions an employer will take to minimize or eliminate the risk of violence;
- the procedures for reporting a violent incident to the employer;
- the procedures the employer will follow to investigate violent incidents;
- a recommendation that workers who have been exposed to violent incidents consult a physician for treatment or obtain a referral for counselling; and
- a commitment to provide a training program for workers.
