Workplace Violence: how to do a risk assessment

Workplace violence is anything that causes someone to feel that they are at risk of harm - threatening behaviour, verbal or written threats, harassment, verbal abuse, physical attacks, etc. And workplace does not just mean the traditional workspace – it can be at work-related events (trade shows, conferences), work social events, in clients’ homes, or even away from work but resulting from work – for example, a threatening call from a client to an employee’s home. 

Why do a risk assessment?

Most jurisdictions in Canada require businesses to perform a violence risk assessment for the workplace under Occupational Health and Safety legislation. 

Doing a risk assessment allows you to: 

• create awareness of possible hazards and risks
• identify who is at risk (employees, customers, suppliers, etc.)
• break down potential hazards,
• prioritise the level of risk and put best practices in place to prevent future incidents. 

The risk assessment should be done in consultation with the employer, management, employees and the OH&S representative/committee. 

Hazards and Risks

A hazard is a thing/condition/substance/behavior, and the risk is the likelihood that the hazard will cause injury or disease. For example, if you're walking down a road the hazard would be getting hit by a car. The risk would be greater on a busy city street than on a quiet country road. 
 
First you must identify the hazard(s):

• Look at all aspects of the business,
  • The nature of the work
  • Working conditions
  • The design of the work environment and activities
  • The frequency of situations
• Review previous accident/incident reports,
• Consider violent incidents at similar workplaces
• Interview employees or conduct a survey, and
• Inspect the workplace. 

Risk factors include:

• working with the public,
• working with volatile or unstable persons,
• premises where alcohol is served,
• handling money, valuables or prescription drugs,
• providing care, service advice or education,
• working alone.

Consider:

• What is the likelihood an incident will occur?
• What is the potential injury severity?

Risk = Probability x Severity

Once you know the risk, you can prioritise which hazards need to be dealt with first, and either eliminate the risk, or work to reduce it by adding control measures as necessary.

Find solutions

• What are you currently doing in the workplace to lower the risk of violence?
• Is it working?
• Ideally eliminate the hazard

Implement/make recommendations

• Requires cooperation and participation of everyone
• Assign roles and responsibilities for incorporating solutions
• Monitor and evaluate changes for effectiveness

A violence risk assessment should be reviewed regularly, and especially when

• New tasks or responsibilities are assigned
• New information on potential hazards/risks becomes available
• There is a change to the location/layout of the workplace

CFIB members can contact a Business Advisor at 1-833-568-2342 or cfib@cfib.ca to request risk assessment guides and template policies.

Not a member yet? JOIN CFIB today for more help and information.

More information on workplace violence and other aspects of workplace safety can be found in CFIB's OHSNow! for small business.