When domestic violence enters the workplace

April 26, 2012

This new video tells the story of Tony McNaughton, a Starbucks manager in downtown Vancouver, who was stabbed to death at work while protecting a staff member from her violent husband. It’s part of a new toolkit from WorkSafeBC that helps employers and workers reduce the risk of domestic violence entering the workplace.

“If, by this, we can raise the issue of domestic violence – and violence generally – and do something to counter it, then that’s part of Tony’s legacy,” says Allen Sawkins, Tony’s partner. It must have taken so much strength and courage to tell the story on video, and I’m grateful to Allen for sharing it.

For more resources, see the Domestic Violence section of WorkSafeBC’s Violence Prevention portal, where there are also resources related to violence in health care, retail, and tourism and hospitality, as well as working alone and workplace bullying.

Resources to prevent violence at work

December 01, 2011

From WorkSafe Magazine Nov/Dec 2011

I read an article in the November/December 2011 issue of WorkSafe Magazine about a new online tool for preventing workplace violence.

Employers sign up and their workers answer questions online about their specific workplace. The program evaluates each survey and compiles a list of potential violence-related risks.

“Once the risks have been identified, the e-tool brings up articles related to prevention strategies from the knowledge base… culled from hundreds of policy and procedure documents from reputable agencies…” reads the WorkSafeBC article by Gail Johnson.

The online program is the result of joint efforts from the BC Public Service Agency, the BC Government and Service Employers Union, and the University of BC – funded by WorkSafeBC.

A tale of avoiding violence

Health care workers are often faced with aggressive behaviour from clients – many of whom are angry, scared, or frustrated with their situation. According to WorkSafeBC, violence is a leading cause of injury to B.C. care workers and results in more than 1000 injuries each year.

Downtown Eastside hotel. Photo credit: roaming-the-planet on Flickr

I talked with a community health nurse recently about some of the threats he’s faced from clients he visits in shelters and hotels in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. He said violence is threatened, but actual incidents are rare. I followed up with a contact at WorkSafeBC who confirmed there was no significant number of violence-related claims among community health nurses.

Once the nurse went to a hotel to see a man with a suspected leg infection. He introduced himself and asked if he could have a look.

“I thought I heard him say ‘yeah’ or shake his head, but apparently he’s partially deaf and he hadn’t heard me at all,” he said.

“I went down to lift up his pant leg, and he turned at me and raised his hand as if to hit me, and so of course I backed out of that situation and explained that I was a nurse – there to look at his wounds. He told me he did not want me to look at his wounds and so I left.”

Thankfully the threat of violence was averted, and a female nurse went back later and treated the man. There are many tactics for cooling the flames, depending on the industry and the situation, and the new online program brings many of them to industry. Kudos to the collaborators!

New violence prevention resources online

WorkSafeBC is offering a new set of online resources for workers and employers, including videos, e-publications, and links to violence-related info in the Regulation.

Hockey-themed video delivers serious message

May 26, 2011

After the Canucks’ winning goal in double overtime on Tuesday night, playoff fever is rampant is this neck of the woods.

It’s been an exciting series, with more than its share of injuries and violence. While some might say we expect hockey players to rough each other up on the ice, we also know that everyone has the right to do their job without being seriously injured in the process.

Take health care workers, for example. Many people don’t realize that health care workers face violence and threats at work nearly every day. According to this hockey-themed video, there are more than 700 violent incidents reported each year on Vancouver Island alone.

Let’s do all we can to look out for people who are caring for others’ lives – and Go Canucks!!!

Care aides guard public from violent clients

March 17, 2011

Photo credit: Radio.Guy/Adam on Flickr

Here’s a story from a former care aide attendant who worked in a group home for young and middle-aged adults. Residents at the group home lived with cognitive and physical disabilities, mental illness, and dual diagnosis (i.e. addiction and mental illness together).

“As far as safety goes, it’s a tough slog, that’s for sure,” said my friend, who I’ll call Joan.

Some aspects of the job were rewarding, but there were also many risks, such as exposure to bodily fluids, getting bitten, overexertion from lifting people, and emotional stress. Yet in addition to watching out for their own safety, Joan and her coworkers had to take special precautions with residents whose behaviours could endanger the public. Read more

Punched by the boss

November 30, 2010

Photo credit: Kaptain Kobold on Flickr

Recently I was at a café , having a “What do you do?” conversation at an outdoor table. It was a sunny autumn day – a rare and precious thing in Vancouver – and I sipped my delicious Americano coffee as we chatted. I told people I’ve been working on a workplace safety blog.

“Well, I’ve got a story for you!” exclaimed a 33-year-old named Jimmy, who was at the cafe with a notebook and pen, working on a screenplay of his life story. “My buddy and I were working for a construction guy and, when I asked him to hire a safety guy, he punched me in the face!”

Jimmy pulled down his bottom lip and showed me a missing tooth. He said he’ll go to the dentist soon. I asked what happened after the assault. Was he pursuing any sort of legal action or being compensated in any way? He said no. He just walked away from his workplace and that was the end of his job. Read more

Home care workers: Leave when it’s unsafe

November 09, 2010

“Don’t ever be afraid to trust your gut instincts,” says nurse Barb Valois, speaking to home care workers on a new video from WorkSafeBC. “You always have the right to refuse unsafe work.”

Surely this is good advice for work and life in general – especially when you go to clients’ homes alone. You never know what you are walking into, so it’s important to be prepared with safe work procedures.

Be warned this video includes strong swearing from a very difficult client.

A nurse speaks her truth on violence at work

September 28, 2010

A friend, let’s call her Beth, recently told me she is faced with the risk of violence every day in her job as a registered nurse in a hospital. Agitated patients try to kick, scratch, and punch her as she attends to their needs – not to mention verbal abuse from patients and their loved ones.

“If I was to report every time a patient actually tries to strike out at me or literally tries to claw me or kick me, we’d be drowning in a sea of paperwork,” said Beth, who has worked as a nurse for four years. “There’s huge under-reporting because it’s ‘just part of the job’ – but it shouldn’t be.” Read more

Are you prepared for violence in the workplace?

September 23, 2010

Earl, an activities worker for seniors in Vancouver, B.C.

Earl works at a seniors activity centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside – and, for the most part, people are peaceful.

In his job as an activities worker, Earl calls BINGO, offers computer training, and leads music classes for elder clients who visit the centre to socialize with their peers. Some live in an adjoining seniors building and others live elsewhere in this neighbourhood known for its struggle with poverty and addiction.

I asked Earl via Facebook about his training in violence prevention. He said he and his colleagues in the recreation department take seminars on the topic every two years.
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