According to Section 4.28 of the WorkSafe BC regulations a risk assessment is required if there are interactions between employees and persons other than co-workers, with a potential for threats or assaults.  In other words if you are employed by the Chilliwack School District and are working in a school environment and there is a student in attendance that has committed a violent act, or has the potential to commit a violent act against you then the Employer, or their Representative MUST conduct a risk assessment.

Risk Assessments often involve the gathering of relevant information from all staff and once the risks have been identified then the necessary steps must be taken to either eliminate the risks entirely and if that is not possible then to minimize it.  Preventative procedures must be developed and all staff must understand these procedures and follow them.  These assessments take time as does the development of procedures, members should never be expected to continue working in a hazardous situation while this process is taking place.

The Employer is also responsible, under Section 4.30, to inform ALL of their workers about the nature and extent of the risk.  As well they must train all their staff in safe work procedures before they are exposed to the hazard(s).  Our Employer, or their Representative cannot force a member to work with a student that has a known propensity for violence until they are fully aware of the risks and have received all the necessary training to keep themselves safe.

Employees should be consulting with their physicians if they have sustained an injury or suffered adverse symptoms resulting from violence at their workplace.  The Union cannot stress the importance of documenting any and all violent incidents with your general practitioner; as prolonged exposures to violence can have a long-term negative impact not only your physical self, but your mental health as well.

If Risk Assessments are not being conducted at your site then you are encouraged to reach out to an Elected Union Representative for further guidance and support, especially if you have voiced your concerns to your immediate supervisor and/or your sites health and safety committee and nothing is being done.

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Members always have the option to contact a WorkSafe BC Officer for immediate assistance; the contact information for our region is as follows:

Address: 2774 Tretheway Street, Abbotsford, V2T 3R1

Phone: 604-276-3100

Toll-free: 1-800-292-2219

In Solidarity