Workplace Violence/Smoke Free Ontario Act

SFTY 1029

What is Workplace VIOLENCE?

• The exercise (or attempt) of physical force by a person against a worker, in a workplace, that causes or could cause a physical injury to the worker; or

• A statement or behavior that is reasonable for a worker to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the worker, in a workplace, that could cause injury to the worker

What is Workplace HARASSMENT?

Engaging in a course of vexatious comments or conduct against a worker in a workplace that is known, or ought reasonably to be known, to be unwelcome.

How can workplace management help control or prevent workplace violence?

• Post a Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention Policy that states clearly to contractors, subcontractors, employees that violence will not be tolerated or permitted

• Require employees to report all assaults and threats

• Set up trained response teams to respond to emergencies

Workplace violence training and education should include what?

• Workplace violence prevention policy

• Risk factors that cause or contribute to assaults

• Early recognition of escalating behavior or warning signs

• Ways to prevent volatile situations

• Standard response action plan for violent situations

• Location and operation of safety devices

What does the Smoke Free Ontario Act of 2017 prevent?

The Act prevents smoking or holding lighted tobacco in any enclosed workplace, any enclosed public places, and specifically designated outdoor places in Ontario.

If you smoke or hold lighted tobacco in a place where it has been prohibited, you may be ticked and charged a fine. This is enforced by the Local Public Health Unit.

Where is it illegal to smoke?

• Outdoor Patios

• Enclosed Workplaces

• Hospitals

• Smoking Shelters (with more than 2 walls and a roof)

• Areas where home health care workers work

• Common areas of hotels, motels, inns, condominiums, apartment buildings

• Residential Care Facilities

• Schools

• Children’s playgrounds and publicly owned sports fields

What dose the term “Enclosed” imply?

An Enclosed workplace is a space with more than two walls and a roof.

• the inside of a building, structure or vehicle that an employee works in or frequents during the course of their employment whether or not they are acting in the course of the employment at the time

  • This includes the inside of a trailer office on a construction site, the inside of a loading dock, or the inside of a delivery truck

As per the Smoke Free Ontario Act, all employers, owners, and operators of jobsites must do what?

• Post "No Smoking/Vaping" signs at all entrances, exits, washrooms and anywhere signs can be easily placed and seen

• Make sure that no one smokes or holds lighted tobacco/other in an enclosed workplace, public place, or area where smoking etc. is banned

• Make sure that a person who does not comply leaves the premises

• Remove ashtrays (or any object that serves as one)

As of 2018, E-Cigarettes and Cannabis are both what?

E-cigarettes and cannabis are both treated the same as tobacco.

• Some companies may have their own policies you are required to follow, like with tobacco.

Is Cannabis ever allowed on a construction side?

It is never allowed on a construction site.

• It is viewed no differently from consuming alcohol or other drugs; it can impair your ability to work safely.

• Some provinces actually make you complete drug testing before you are allowed to work (Oil Patch).