VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE Parks and Recreation Ontario Aquatics Conference

Transcription

1 VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE 2010 Parks and Recreation Ontario Aquatics Conference

2 PRESENTERS Anne Jackson, Manager of Aquatics Matt Bentley, Manager of Standards and Innovation Steve Hart, Supervisor of Security Robert Gautreau, Manager of Human Resources

3 OBJECTIVES To give an overview of the issue of Violence in the Workplace as it relates to Recreation and Aquatic Services delivery To share the City of Toronto s experience in responding to a critical incident involving a recreation staff and the subsequent Ministry of Labour orders To give an overview on Bill 168 and how it s being implemented by the Ministry of Labour To provide recommendations to other municipalities on how to improve the safety and security of staff and participants To provide opportunity to share experiences and lessons learned.

4 SNAPSHOT OF TORONTO 2.5 million people 73 Distinct (named) Neighbourhoods Ranked 26 th most dangerous city in Canada (overall crime score) Other Ontario municipalities include Brantford 11 th, Thunder Bay (15 th ) and Hamilton (24th). Source - Macleans/Statscan (2008 data).

5 PARKS, FORESTRY & RECREATION DIVISION (PFR) WORKPLACES 134 Community Centres, 63 indoor pools, 59 outdoor pools, 110 staffed wading pools Also 48 arenas, 5 golf courses, 5 ferry boats, 2 ski hills, 1 campground.

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10 CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH RISK JOBS (source Canadian Government Centre for Occupational Health and Safety) Work- related factors increasing the risk of violence: Working with the public Handling money, valuables or prescription drugs Carrying out inspection or enforcement duties Providing service, care, advice or education.

11 Work- related factors increasing the risk of violence (con t) Working with unstable or volatile persons (e.g. social services) Working in premises where alcohol is served Working alone, in small numbers or in isolated areas Having a mobile workplace Working during periods of intense organizational change (e.g. strikes or downsizing).

12 Work- related factors increasing the risk of violence (con t) Working near buildings or businesses that are at risk of violent crime (e.g. historically violent buildings, bars, banks) Working in areas isolated from other buildings or structures (e.g. a park).

13 CHALLENGES OF MANAGING VIOLENCE IN RECREATION WORKPLACES Understanding scope of the Workplace Violence Policy Culture of work Non- reporting of threat Tracking Analysis

14 Anytime Anywhere- Hockey Arena Boston, A 42 year-old father with no criminal record, assaulted a 40 year-old man who was monitoring the play of youth hockey game. After being ordered out by the rink manager, Mr. Juanta returned and slammed Mr. Costin to the ground killing him. London, ON, A video of a man attacking a linesman at a midget AA 15-year-olds game was posted on YouTube. Hockey leagues and arena managements are developing Behaviour Codes requiring signature for participation. E.g. Crookston Park& Recreation and B.C.

15 Violent Risk increasing at Toronto Pools Increase number of staff reporting violent threats from patrons including: Threats uttered Profanity, yelling Show of weapons Physical conduct (shoving, aggressive touching) Police intervention requested sometimes resulting in trespass notice issue

16 August 2009 Monarch Park Outdoor Pool - Toronto 21 year old lifeguard leaving pool after shift (7:00 pm) on bicycle at conclusion of his shift. Approached by 4 youths he previously encountered while on duty. They exchanged words outside changeroom building. Held down and beaten. Wallet and bicycle stolen. Treated by lifeguards and paramedics.

17 After-hours Pool Hopping After hours pool use is increasing. Patrons are not hiding their return from staff 137 occurrences of after hour pool hopping reported by corporate security in 2010 (TO) 1097 people asked to leave the pool during these uses 300 swimmers reported on one occasion

18 CRITICAL INCIDENT CITY OF TORONTO 2008 Shooting incident at a Parks, Forestry and Recreation facility Crisis response, counselling provided to staff Pay-duty Police Officers posted at location Increased Supervision External Improvements Ministry of Labour Orders.

19 EXISTING RELEVANT POLICES AND/OR PROCEDURES Workplace Violence Policy (corporate) Cash handling Procedures Facility Emergency Response Plan Facility Emergency Evacuation Procedures Suspension, Ban and Trespass Policy Anti-Bullying Policy Bomb threat Policy Police Reference Check Staffing Policy Code of Conduct Policy Lockdown procedures Minor injury/incident Policy Responding to Robberies Policy

20 EXISTING WORKPLACE TRAINING Workplace specific orientation Supervisor Health & Safety Competency training Harassment free workplace training Crisis management training Emergency or Standard First Aid/CPR.

21 MINISTRY OF LABOUR ORDERS The employer shall, in consultation with the workers, local Joint Health and Safety committee and applicable unions, undertake a comprehensive security audit of the workplace at 50 Falstaff Avenue. The Audit shall include but not limited to the following: worker training, worker supervision, procedures, protocols, systems, programming, physical environment, communication and risk.

22 MINISTRY OF LABOUR ORDERS The employer shall, in consultation with the JHSC (Joint Health and Safety Committee) of the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Facilities and applicable union executives, develop a plan for assessing the level of risk of all its PFR workplaces by conducting a comprehensive review of the violence risk controls and identifying where controls need to be improved.

23 Action taken in Response to the Orders: Work team established Work plan created and submitted to the Ministry of Labour.

24 AREAS OF FOCUS Training Safe Operating Procedures Functional Work Assessments Workplace Violence Inspections/Employee Risk Assessments Incident Reporting Threat Management Final Recommendations.

25 TRAINING Inventory of existing training Identified training requirements for work locations and job functions.

26 SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURES Identified the need for written Safe Operating Procedures to improve safety Examples include facility opening and closing procedures and functional jobs (community outreach).

27 FUNCTIONAL WORK ASSESSMENTS High risk jobs identified and assessed Training requirements identified.

28 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE INSPECTIONS/ EMPLOYEE RISK ASSESSMENT Assessment template created Initial assessment completed to identify high risk locations Assessments to be completed annually.

29 INCIDENT REPORTING Review prior incidents involving staff and participants. Identified the need for improved tracking.

30 THREAT MANAGEMENT (Security Assessment) Threat management process designed to assess threats in the workplace. Development of a threat management team.

31 THREAT ASSESSMENT Overview/Objective Methodology Demographics

32 RESEARCH Past Occurrences Statistics CAP Index Report Liability.

33 RECOMMENDATIONS Risk Mitigation Training Physical Enhancements Operational Enhancements CPTED Principles

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39 Workplace Violence incidents in Ontario 1996 Theresa Vince, 56, was shot to death in the Chatham Sears store where she had worked for the last 25 years. Theresa was shot by her store manager Russell Davis, who then turned the gun on himself. She had filed a sexual harassment complaint against Davis. A former Ottawa transit (OC Transpo) employee pulled into transit garage and went on a shooting rampage. Pierre Lebrun encountered a dozen people. He shot six, four fatally. Then he shot himself. He left a suicide note which showed he was upset with interactions at work. Windsor Physician stabs and kills ex-girlfriend in their hospital workplace. Corner s inquest make recommendations for legislation to deal with harassement and domestic violence.

40 BILL 168 Amends OHSA, effective June 15,2010 Focus on Workplace Violence Programs, Harassment Policy, and Domestic Violence Major work required for a Workplace Violence Program Requires written Harassment Policy Domestic Violence - action required

41 BILL 168 Domestic Violence Provisions If an employer becomes aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that domestic violence that would likely expose a worker to physical injury may occur in the workplace, the employer shall take every precaution reasonable in the circumstance for the protection of the worker. Sec

42 BILL 168 Harassment Policy Definition in OHSA: Engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker in a workplace that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome Requirement to Develop Policy: including reporting and investigation procedures, post and educate workers on the policy

43 RISK ASSESSMENT Arising from the nature of the workplace, type of work or conditions of work. Review as often as necessary, but at least annually Circumstances common to similar workplaces Circumstances specific to the workplace Employer to advise JHSC or OHS rep of the results of the assessment and provide copy in writing Reassess as often as is necessary to continue to protect

44 VIOLENCE PROGRAM Measures and procedures to control risks identified during required risk assessments as likely to expose a worker to physical injury Measures and procedures for summoning immediate assistance when workplace violence occurs or is likely to occur Measures and procedures for reporting incidents of violence How employer will investigate and deal with incident or complaints.

45 INFORMATION/INSTRUCTION OF WORKERS Information, including personal information, related to a risk of workplace violence from a person with the history of violent behaviour, if worker can be expected to encounter the person in performance of work For privacy reasons, only provide necessary information. The Province of Ontario has released guidelines on workplace violence and harassment.

46 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Ensure workplace violence and harassment policy is created and implemented 2. Annual risk assessments for all work locations 3. Identify and assess functional jobs 4. Incident reporting 5. Safe Operating Procedures 6. Workplace violence training.

47 THANK YOU! QUESTIONS??? For more information Anne Jackson, Manager of Aquatics Matt Bentley, Manager of Standards and Innovation Steve Hart, Supervisor of Security Robert Gautreau, Manager of Human Resources