DVD to aid in creation of workplace violence prevention strategies
‘Violence too often considered a part of the job,’ says OSACH CEO
Tuesday June 24, 2008 -- Jason Thompson
The Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare (OSACH) has released a DVD to assist healthcare and community care organizations protect their employees by reducing incidents of workplace violence.

Produced in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, along with healthcare and union representatives, Workplace Violence Prevention in Health and Community Care, is a look at the responsibilities facing healthcare and community care organizations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

According to OSACH, the DVD offers assistance in the establishment of a comprehensive violence prevention program as well as strategies to prevent aggressive behaviours in people with cognitive impairments, psychiatric issues and dementia.

A number of resources are included with the DVD such as assessment and investigation tools, reporting procedures and a sample prevention policy.

"Violence is too often considered part of the job for healthcare workers. It is never an acceptable risk," said OSACH president and CEO Joseline Sikorski in a news release.

“We are confident that this educational DVD will assist organizations in addressing the major concerns of workplace violence, bullying and aggressive behaviours in our sector."

In her presentation at the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada’s (HIROC) 6th Annual Risk Management Conference in April, Patti Boucher, vice-president of client and consulting services with OSACH, addressed the issue of workplace violence saying the healthcare and community care sectors lead all others in Ontario when it comes to lost time due to injuries.

Boucher says healthcare and community care sectors make up 34 per cent of all lost time injuries due to workplace violence with fire and police coming in second at 25 per cent.

In addition, the average direct cost of a lost time injury is escalating and has shot up 97 per cent since 2002.

“We’ve got lots of financial challenges and when we’re spending money on accidents, we’re not spending money on patient care and services,” Boucher says.

Click here for more information or to order a copy of the DVD.

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