BOARD [Ontario to strengthen protection for workers
April 20, 2009]
SUPER [Jenny Pak
Nurse]
Jenny Pak: The health-care sector, actually, has a very high violence in the workplace rates. Nurses are three times more likely to experience violence than any other professional group. We do come in contact with many different types of people, in also a high-stress environment. So, sometimes stress can turn out to be a violence situation. This is definitely an important issue.
SUPER [Peter Fonseca
Minister of Labour]
Peter Fonseca: The workplace is supposed to be safe. Today in the legislature, in a short time, I’ll be introducing amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to address workplace violence and harassment.
SUPER [David Caplan
Minister of Health and Long-term Care]
David Caplan: These proposed amendments would insure hospitals employ a staff member to consult with, and provide support to colleagues in regards to any violence, abuse and harassment.
Jenny Pak: We know violence isn’t something that we can totally eliminate, but to recognize it and support the work to prevent it from happening is really important. And I hope that this is what the legislation will bring.
BOARD [ontario.ca/safeatworkontario]