Workplace Violence and Harassment - COR Element 17
All Ontario workplaces and construction sites are required to be respectful and free from fear of physical abuse and/or violence. Violence and harassment may be initiated by the public, a subcontractor or a co-worker, and all employees must have access to a process where they can safely report incidents without fear of reprisal. Their concerns shall be dealt with and resolved in a manner that makes the employees feel safe at work.
When we think of construction, we don’t normally associate it with issues that arise from workplace violence or harassment, but in fact, the risk is the same to all workers irrespective of the industry. Workers must be trained on the actions that are required to be taken if they experience violence or are harassed in the workplace. This training will be supported by a company policy that is signed by the most senior person in the organization. It will form a crucial part of the company’s violence and harassment program.
The COR audit tool checks to confirm that an organization undergoing audit meets the implementation of such a program that protects workers from violence and harassment. A COR auditor will review the following key elements to confirm all violence and harassment risks have been correctly identified and analyzed, and the appropriate controls implemented:
A signed violence and harassment prevention policy and program has been implemented and is maintained. The policy must be reviewed annually; the program should be reviewed periodically.
The violence and harassment free policy statement covers worker’s rights, is current (updated and signed annually), posted in the workplace, and readily available to all workers.
Employers conduct periodic violence assessments of all worksites and determine specific controls for specific risks that need to be implemented as per the MOLTD document “Workplace Violence and Harassment: Understanding the Law”. Even organizations who are hyper-mobile must assess violence and harassment threats for all locations; if worksites last a day or less, consider having some form of assessment built into your daily hazard assessments.
Measures and procedures are in-place to ensure all employees know how to summon for help.
All incidents involving violence and harassment are investigated to determine root causes and appropriate corrective / preventative actions.
Any organization that can provide positive responses to the above is in a good place, and likely on its way to building proactive violence and harassment free workplace.
If you would be interested in a mini assessment of your current COR journey or are looking for an external auditor, we would be happy to help you. Please feel free to contact us at:
roger.belair@onsitehse.com or inquiry@cssp-inc.com
Presented by Roger Belair and Jason Colucci - Approved COR Associate Auditors.
