Table of Contents
Violence in the Workplace
Last Updated: November 2020
Prepared by CCOHS
Listed below are sections of legislation which refer to violence in the workplace. Most Canadian jurisdictions have a "general duty provision" in their Occupational Health & Safety legislation which requires employers to take all reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of employees. More information on this topic is available in the OSH Answers document OH&S Legislation - Due Diligence This provision would include protecting employees from a known risk of workplace violence.
In jurisdictions that do not have explicit legislation dealing with violence in the workplace, the general duties of an employer would apply. An overview of these duties can be found in the reference document " Occupational Health and Safety Responsibilities of Directors, Owners, Employers, Managers and Supervisors .
Many jurisdictions have legislation, about working alone, which also covers acts of violence. Please see the quick reference document " Working Alone for more details.
Since legislation is amended from time to time, it should be reviewed for the most current information. Enforcement and interpretation of any legislation or codes may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Canadian Governmental Occupational Health & Safety Departments http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/information/govt.html) should be contacted for information on how the laws are enforced.
This list is prepared by CCOHS as part of the Canadian enviroOSH Legislation service This service is a comprehensive and easy to search compilation of the full text of Canadian health, safety and environmental legislation and critical guidelines and codes of practice from all jurisdictions. All the legislation is compiled into one convenient location and is regularly updated with amendments highlighted.
Subscribers to this service and paid learners of the CCOHS e-courses have access to the full text of the legislation listed in this document. To become a subscriber please contact Client Services
OSH Answers on Violence in the Workplace
Internet Harassment or Cyberbullying
Violence in the Workplace - Negative Interactions
Violence in the Workplace - Parking Lot Safety
Violence in the Workplace - Warning Signs
Violence in the Workplace - Working Late
Canada
Canada Labour Code, Part II R.S.C. 1985, c. L-2
Part II, "Occupational Health and Safety"
"Duties of Employers"
Section 124, "General duty of employer"
Section 125, "Specific duties of employer"
Subsection 125(z.16)
Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, SOR/86-304
Part XX, "Violence Prevention in the Work Place"
Alberta
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act,
Occupational Health and Safety Code, 2009
See also:
Occupational Health and Safety Code 2018 Explanation Guide, Part 27 : Violence and Harassment
British Columbia
As made under the Workers Compensation Act,
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, B.C. Reg. 296/97
Part 3, Rights and Responsibilities
Section 3.23, Young or new worker orientation and training
Section 4.22.1, Late night retail safety procedures and requirements
Section 4.23, Annual reviews of procedures
Workplace Conduct
Violence in the Workplace
Section 4.29, Procedures and policies
Section 4.30, Instruction of workers
Section 4.31, Advice to consult physician
TAKE CARE: How to develop and implement a workplace violence prevention program
Manitoba
As made under the Workplace Safety and Health Act,
Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Man. Reg. 217/2006
Part 9, Working Alone or in Isolation
Part 11, Violence in the Workplace
See also:
Manitoba Labour, Guide for Preventing Harassment in the Workplace (Rev. 2015)
Manitoba Labour, Guide for Preventing Violence in the Workplace (2011)
New Brunswick
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, A.N.B. 1983, c. O-0.2
General Regulation - Occupational Health and Safety Act N.B. Reg. 91-191
Part XXII.I, Violence and Harassment
Newfoundland and Labrador
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, N.L.R. 5/12
Section 23, Violence prevention
Section 24, Instruction to workers
Section 24.1, Harassment prevention plan
Northwest Territories
As made under the Safety Act
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-039-2015
Working Alone Code of Practice
Nova Scotia
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act,
Violence in the Workplace Regulations, N.S. Reg. 209/2007
A Guide to the Violence in the Workplace Regulations for the Retail Gas Industry, http://novascotia.ca/lae/healthandsafety/docs/ViolenceGuideRetailGas.pdf
A Guide to the Violence in the Workplace Regulations for the Taxi Industry, http://novascotia.ca/lae/healthandsafety/docs/ViolenceGuideTaxiIndustry.pdf
A Guide to the Violence in the Workplace Regulations for Convenience and Small Retail Stores, http://novascotia.ca/lae/healthandsafety/docs/ViolenceGuideSmallRetailStores.pdf
Nunavut
As made under the Safety Act,
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-003-2016
Section 36, Late night premises
Working Alone Code of Practice
Ontario
Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1
Part III.0.1, Violence and Harassment
See also:
Workplace Violence and Harassment: Understanding the Law
Prince Edward Island
As made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act,
Occupational Health and Safety Act General Regulations, EC180/87
Part 52, Violence in the Workplace
Guide to the Prevention of Workplace Violence
Guide to Workplace Harassment Regulations
Workplace Harassment Regulation, EC710/19
Quebec
Act respecting labour standards, CQLR c. N-1.1
Chapter IV, Labour Standards
Division V.2, Psychological Harassment
Sections 81.18 to 81.20
Division II.1, Recourse Against Psychological Harassment
Sections, 123.6 to 123.16
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Employment Act, S.S. 2013, c. S-15.1
Section 3-21, Duty re policy statement on violence and prevention plan
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996, R.R.S., c. O-1, r. 1
See also:
Violence: A Guide to Developing a Violence Policy Statement
Yukon
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