FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2010

Bill 168 Compliance Against Workplace Violence and Harassment

“No Hassle” for Brockville General Hospital

Brockville—When it comes to implementing Bill 168 in the workplace, Brockville General Hospital can say “no hassle.”

“We implemented our own policy on workplace violence and harassment in 2007,” says BGH Manager of Occupational Health and Safety Patricia Hoy-Berrea. “We’ve been ahead on this for some time, so we’re not facing any major changes with the new bill.”

Bill 168 came into force on June 15, 2010, bringing significant amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario. Workplaces in Ontario where more than five workers are regularly employed are now required to develop written policies addressing both violence and harassment in the workplace, and to review those policies at least once a year. Employers are also required to conduct training on these policies to help meet their due diligence.

Although Bill 168 was enacted six months after receiving royal assent last December, few Ontario workplaces complied with the new workplace violence and harassment legislation by the time it came into force and are currently working to meet compliance criteria.

“We already do incident reporting with our Joint Health and Safety Committee,” explains Hoy-Berrea. “That’s been since Day One for BGH. We’ve also seen tremendous success with our Code White (Violent Person) Training and Gentle Persuasion Application Training for staff.”

BGH has alarms in rooms, especially Emergency which has the highest risk for violence. Hoy-Berrea says the police response to hospital alarms is very good.

Bill 168 compliance identifies what BGH already addressed, in terms of employee/management responsibility for violence or harassment in the workplace. With a workplace violence policy in place via Human Resources, the hospital covers the additional issues of identifying harassment and dealing with it as part of the BGH employee Core Program. Departmental risk is also assessed.  As Bill 168 requires, this material is reviewed by all staff each year. Hoy-Berrea sees Bill 168 as an important addition to workplace safety and efficiency.

“Violence or harassment in the workplace can affect all business sectors and occupations,” says Hoy-Berrea. “Patients, clients, customers, students, workers, intimate partners or family members may hurt, threaten, or harass workers while they are on the job.

“Employers need to protect workers against violent acts and threats of violence, and to create an atmosphere in which workers feel free to come forward with concerns or complaints,” she adds. “That’s already a priority at Brockville General Hospital.”

 

Patricia Hoy-Berrea shows some of the Bill 168 material available for staff at BGH.

 

For more information, please contact:

Maggie Wheeler Communications Officer BROCKVILLE GENERAL HOSPITAL 613-345-5649 Ext. 1-1504

Healthy people – Outstanding Care

Back to the News Page