1.    Beliefs

The Violence in the Workplace Regulations defines “violence” as any of the following:

                  i.threats, including a threatening statement or threatening behavior that gives a member reasonable cause to believe that the member is at risk of physical injury,

                 ii.conduct or attempted conduct of a person that endangers the physical health or physical safety of a member. 

Violence can be directed at a member or volunteer by others, visitors, or other members (members). Personal Relationships of a member such as a parent, brother, sister, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, acquaintance, etc. are included in the classification of visitor. If the personal relationship is also a member, this will be treated as staff-on-staff behavior (bullying or harassment) and could include violence. 

2.     Definitions

Employee: refers to any member, volunteer, student, contractor, associate of FPWC, or member Fireproof partners.

Disrespectful Behavior:  behavior towards others that is undesirable, unsuitable, or improper. This behavior may be written, verbal, electronic, or behavioral. It may also include bullying which usually involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behavior that is intended to intimidate, offend, degrade, or humiliate a particular person or group of people. It has also been described as the assertion of power through aggression. (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)

Harassment: Typically means any offensive or inappropriate persistent implicit or explicit behavior by an FPWC staff member that is directed towards any FPWC staff member or staff group and which a person knew or ought reasonably to have known to be unwelcome. For this Policy, harassment in the workplace includes but is not limited to, sexual harassment, behavior that creates a hostile or offensive workplace, discrimination, and abuse of authority. 

Workplace: means any place where a member is or is likely to be engaged in any occupation and includes any vehicle or mobile equipment used or likely to be used by a member in an occupation. 

3. Why is Prevention an Important Issue?

Violence or harassment is an issue that affects the safety and security of members, volunteers, clients, partners, and visitors. 

Violence and Harassment Statement

FPWC is committed to providing a healthy and safe workplace that is free of harassment, violence, and threats of violence. We believe that physical and emotional safety is the right, and responsibility, of every person. 

FPWC acknowledges that violence in the workplace is an occupational health and safety hazard that can cause physical and emotional harm. We view any acts of violence or threats of violence in the workplace as unacceptable. We are committed to working to prevent workplace violence and to responding appropriately if workplace violence does occur. All members of the company are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe environment.

Any acts of violence or threats of violence are unacceptable and will be responded to immediately. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:   

•  threats, including a threatening statement or behavior that gives a person cause to believe they are at risk of injury,
• conduct that endangers the health or safety of a person.

In all situations, if you witness or experience violence or threats of violence, take precautions to assure your safety and the safety of others. To report an incident, please do the following: 

• To report an accident or incident (non-emergency), contact the Manager/Supervisor and Sheryl Thompson.

In an emergency within the FPWC workplace, please follow Emergency Code red procedures for your facility. 

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY STATEMENT 

Fireproof Worship Centre is committed to the Health and Safety of all our members. The purpose of the Health and Safety policies and procedures is to guide and direct all members to work safely and prevent injury, to themselves and others. All members are encouraged to participate in developing, implementing, and enforcing Health and Safety policies and procedures. All members must take all reasonable steps to prevent accidents and never sacrifice safety for expedience. 

Our goal is to eliminate or minimize hazards that can cause accidents. It is company policy that all members be given a copy of the policies manual and be familiar with its contents. This policy will be reviewed weekly, monthly, and annually. Together we can achieve a safe and happy work environment.

FPWC members must comply with all aspects of the Act. The legislation is based on the Internal Responsibility System and ensures three fundamental rights to all Ontarian members.

Every member has a Right to Know what hazards are expected to work with and what preventative measures are in place to protect their health and Safety. You are entitled to training and information to allow you to work with the hazards safely. You also have a right to information on issues that may affect your health & and safety or the health & and safety of other persons in your workplace.

Every member Right to Participate in decisions regarding health & and safety in their workplace, by voicing their concerns or opinions on any issues affecting health and safety at the workplace and by reporting unsafe conditions. As well, you can also participate as a safety representative on the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee. Additionally, you can participate in safety initiatives such as inspections, the hazard assessment process, and/or the development of safe work procedures.

Every member has the Right to Refuse work that you believe will endanger the health and safety or yourself or others. If you choose to exercise this right, advise your immediate Manager or Supervisor. They will guide you through the specific process that supports you.

TRAINING AND ACTION 

Training and education members on the FPWC Workplace Safety Plan will be provided as follows: 
 

• Education Sessions 
• All members will review the Workplace Violence Risk Assessment and Violence Prevention Plan. 
• FPWC Harassment Workplace Prevention Education: session will be completed by all current staff and all new staff, (or online - Minimal risk areas)
• All staff required to provide community-based services will receive training in Health and Safety practice (mental health) education sessions.
• Safety talks discussing components of the Plan will be scheduled once per week.
• 15 minutes of each staff meeting will be dedicated to staff discussions on safety and preventative measures. 
• Instructing workers to follow safe work practices.
• Enforcing health and safety regulations.
• Correcting unsafe acts and unsafe conditions.
• Reporting and investigating all accidents/incidents.
• First aid and emergency procedures.
• Promoting safety awareness among workers
• All information, education, and training will be recorded on each member’s file and/or on the orientation checklist and in the FPWC database.

Accident 

Upon receiving a report of on any incident, based on the severity, an investigation of the incident will be conducted by the supervisor/manager. Refer to FPWC Policy and Incidents – Reporting, Investigation and Documentation.

This will include:

• a debriefing with the affected members. 
• Identification and implementation of prevention measures (controls) to further reduce or minimize the risk.
• Report sign-off by all 
• Completing the incident investigation report form and forwarding a copy to the JOHSC and the ED
• Employees will be informed of the actions taken to minimize/reduce the risk.

Review and update the Risk Assessment and Workplace Plan as required.

Our commitment 

FPWC Management, working in cooperation with the Joint Health and Safety Committee, will strive to take all reasonable steps to reduce workplace hazards to as low as reasonably achievable.

 Supervisors and managers are held accountable for all the above of all members under their supervision. 

This includes responsibility for applicable training and instruction, appropriate follow-up on reported concerns, and implementation of recommended corrective action. This accountability is integrated into the performance appraisal system. 

Supervisors, workers all members, students, staff, and visitors are expected to perform their duties and responsibilities safely and healthfully and are accountable for the Safety of themselves and others. 

FPWC is committed to providing all necessary training and instruction to ensure that appropriate work practices are followed on the job and to promote their use off the job. 

If necessary, FPWC will take disciplinary action where individuals fail to work healthily and safely or do not comply with applicable legislation or corporate policies and procedures. Safety, the environment, and loss control in the workplace are everyone’s responsibility. 

FPWC expects that everyone will join in our efforts to provide a healthy and safe working environment on a continuous day-to-day basis. Only through the dedication and efforts of all individuals can FPWC succeed in providing a healthy working environment.