15 04 20 Workbook LR Final
15 04 20 Workbook LR Final
Workbook
Health and Safety at Work
Workbook
Health and Safety at Work Workbook by Decoda Literacy Solutions is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
March 2015
Acknowledgements
This booklet may not be commercially reproduced, but copying for other purposes, with
credit, is encouraged.
Health and Safety at Work Workbook is a publication of Decoda Literacy Solutions, British
Columbia’s not for profit literacy organization. This workbook provides general health and
safety information. It is not intended to give advice on any particular problem. For specific
health and safety information, contact the BCFED Health & Safety Centre or WorkSafeBC.
Additional copies of Health and Safety at Work can be obtained from the publisher:
Module 4: Ergonomics 51
Introduction 51
Musculoskeletal Injuries 53
Workplace Ergonomics Programs 58
Review 62
www.decoda.ca iii
Module 5: Workplace Violence 63
Introduction 63
Violence at Work 66
Bullying and Harassment 70
Prevention 73
Introduction
Pre-reading
Has there ever been a time when you didn’t feel safe at work? What happened?
What did you do?
Reading
Workers in British Columbia (BC) have some basic rights. It is important for workers
to know what these rights are and to use these rights in the workplace.
These basic rights and responsibilities are found in the Workers Compensation Act
(the Act) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (the Regulation).
The Act and the Regulation are the laws that cover health and safety in BC. Both the
Act and the Regulation apply to most workplaces in BC. They can be found at
www.worksafebc.com.
www.decoda.ca 1
Vocabulary
Choose three of the words in bold from the reading. Look up the meaning of the
words in the dictionary. Use each word in a sentence.
1.
2.
3.
WorkSafeBC
Pre-reading
What do you know about how people are kept safe at work? How did you find out
about this?
WorkSafeBC makes sure all workers and employers in BC follow the Workers
Compensation Act. The Act includes all the laws that workers and employers must
follow at work. WorkSafeBC also helps, or compensates, people who have a work
related disease or injury.
WorkSafeBC also writes health and safety guidelines. These guidelines suggest
ways BC workplaces can follow the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
The Regulation includes requirements that must be met by workplaces.
WorkSafeBC often visits workplaces to make sure the Regulation is followed. It will
also follow up on any complaints it receives from workers. All calls to WorkSafeBC
are confidential.
Questions
What do you do when you need to find out how to do something safely at work? Who
do you ask? If you are not working now, think about a job you had in the past. Use
complete sentences in your answer.
www.decoda.ca 3
The Four Basic Rights
What do you think you need to know before you can safely start work?
Reading
Employers must tell workers about workplace hazards. Workers have the right to
know how to do their job safely. Workers also have a right to education and training.
1. What the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is. This
part of the regulation says that your employer must:
www.decoda.ca 5
Activity
Your employer must give you a health and safety orientation and train you on the
following items before you begin work.
Do you have people at your workplace who help make sure you are safe at work?
Who are they?
Reading
All workers have the right to participate in workplace health and safety activities. This
might include becoming a member of their Joint Health and Safety Committee. Joint
Health and Safety Committees should include half workers and half employers.
Each month, committee members inspect the workplace for hazards. They also
review workplace injuries, such as visits to First Aid. Joint Health and Safety
Committees try to find out how and why accidents happen and how they can be
prevented in the future. Committees then make recommendations to the employer
about health and safety in the workplace.
All workplaces in BC with more than 20 workers must have a Joint Health and Safety
Committee. If there are fewer than 20 workers, workplaces may just have one worker
health and safety representative.
Questions
1. Why would someone want to join their Joint Health and Safety Committee?
www.decoda.ca 7
2. What qualities should committee members have?
Have you ever refused to do something at work because it wasn’t safe? If so, what
happened?
Reading
If you think the work you are doing isn’t safe, you have the right to say “no” to that
work. You should talk to your supervisor. If you prefer, you can talk to your safety
representative or your union.
Your supervisor and safety representative must investigate. They must fix the
problem or tell you why they think there is no problem. If you still think there is a
problem or you are afraid to refuse unsafe work you can call WorkSafeBC at
1-888-621-7233. Someone will speak to you in your own language if you don’t
speak English.
All calls to WorkSafeBC are confidential. WorkSafeBC will not tell your employer you
called - you cannot be fired!
Supervisor investigates
NO
Worker
returns to work
Supervisor finds the report of unsafe work is
not valid and informs the worker
YES
YES
Prevention officer issues an inspection report Prevention office issues a report that
that says no undue hazard has been identified addresses the undue hazard
www.decoda.ca 9
Activity
3. You are told to work with a coworker who is verbally abusive and threatens you.
4. You are asked to work in a very hot environment that does not have
proper ventilation.
5. You are asked to change light bulbs using a ladder that is broken.
Write an email to your supervisor telling him or her why you are concerned
about safety.
From:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Cori began working in park maintenance as a grass cutter approximately three weeks
ago. It is her first “real job” since graduating from high school. She is the youngest
member of the crew. One of her workmates has an appointment and is going to have
to leave the worksite for the rest of the day. Cori’s supervisor Mark asks her to take
over operating the powered grass edger. The edger is an old machine that has been
around for years. It is designed to cut a border along the edge of the sidewalks and
stop the grass from growing over onto the concrete.
Cori has no experience using this machine or anything like it. She is nervous about
operating it, especially since she heard a story about a temporary parks employee
who lost part of a big toe while operating the edger a couple of years ago. She tells
Mark that she is nervous about operating that piece of machinery. Mark responds
that she will be fine. He says that she needs to do the job whether she likes it or not
and they can talk about it later. She sees the other crew members watching her. She
doesn’t want them to think she is a wimp
who can’t do her share of the work. She
is also worried that if she makes waves
she will ruin her chances of getting on as a
permanent member of the crew.
However, Cori decides to try to talk with
Mark one more time about her concerns.
Mark is impatient and tells her they are
shorthanded as it is and he doesn’t have
time to listen to her complaints. He says
that if she can’t handle the work maybe
she shouldn’t be working there.
www.decoda.ca 11
Use the “Refusal of Unsafe Work” reading and flowchart to help you answer the
following questions. You can also check the Regulation at www.worksafebc.com.
Part A
1. Would Cori be justified in refusing to use the edger? Why or why not?
Part B
Assume that Cori decides to refuse to operate the edger. Answer the following
questions about her work refusal.
3. If Mark decides that the report is not valid, can Cori continue to refuse the work?
Part C
What is discrimination?
www.decoda.ca 13
Reading
Questions
2. Have you ever been, or would you be, discriminated against for refusing
unsafe work?
What are your health and safety responsibilities at work? If you aren’t working now,
think about a job you’ve had in the past.
Reading
Both workers and employers have basic health and safety responsibilities in the
workplace.
Employer Responsibilities:
www.decoda.ca 15
Worker Responsibilities:
Activity
Write a short paragraph describing what you do to stay safe at work at your current
job or a job you had in the past.
Refer to the list of worker responsibilities if you need help getting started.
Are there hazards you have to watch out for at work? What are they? If you aren’t
working now think about a job you had in the past.
Reading
Workplace hazards fit into two categories - health hazards and safety hazards.
Health hazards are anything that can cause health problems. There are five types of
health hazards:
www.decoda.ca 17
Safety hazards are anything that can cause physical injury. An injury that is caused
by a safety hazard is usually obvious, such as a cut or fracture. Some common
safety hazards are:
Identify the 12 hazards in the picture. Put the correct number in the circle.
www.decoda.ca 19
Workplace Hazard Inspections
Pre-reading
How can employers and workers figure out where hazards are in the workplace?
Reading
Inspections are used to find existing and potential workplace hazards. They can also
help find the underlying causes of hazards. During inspections workers can share
information about hazards. Once inspections are done, inspectors can recommend
ways to fix, or manage, workplace hazards.
Circle the best meaning for each bold word by looking at how it is used in the
sentence.
a. Dangerous
b. Possible
c. Past
a. Basic
b. Important
c. Changing
a. Unsafe
b. Manufacturing
c. Whole
a. Expensive
b. Hard to fix
c. Having a specific function
a. Breakdowns
b. Routine maintenance
c. New orders
a. Occasional
b. As needed
c. Regular
www.decoda.ca 21
SIX STEPS OF INSPECTIONS
1
Prepare – gather
information
6 2
Follow up Conduct the
and monitor inspection
5 3
Assess risks and
Recommend actions
identify controls
4
Complete the report
Before doing an inspection, it is important to gather information that will help the
process. This includes:
CHECKLISTS
Checklists help you remember what to look for when you are doing an inspection.
The checklist on the following pages is an example of an inspection checklist.
Workplaces have different checklists depending on the kinds of hazards they have on
the job site.
You can use this checklist to help you develop one that is “custom made” for your
workplace. Just add or delete items as necessary.
If supplies or materials are stored on the floor, are they away from
doors and aisles and stacked no more than 3 boxes high?
Walls Yes No
www.decoda.ca 23
Lighting Yes No
Storage Yes No
Electrical Yes No
Chairs Yes No
Computers Yes No
www.decoda.ca 25
Fire Safety and Security Yes No
Environment Yes No
Parking Yes No
www.decoda.ca 27
Violence in the Workplace Yes No
Are there procedures for workers who work at night and handle
money?
What did you find during your site inspection? Were there any hazards you think
should be fixed immediately?
Reading
Hazard ratings are used to classify hazards seen during an inspection. They help
employers decide which hazards should be fixed, or managed, first.
A Hazards
A hazards have the potential to cause loss of life, loss of body parts, and/or extensive
loss of structures, equipment or material. A hazards should be fixed immediately.
www.decoda.ca 29
Examples of A hazards:
• A window washer is working on the third floor level without any fall
protection. He is hanging on with one hand and leaning out to work.
• Workers are in a two metre deep ditch with vertical sides and no shoring,
sloping or other means of protection.
• A kitchen helper is pouring water on a grease fire.
B Hazards
B hazards have the potential to cause serious injury, illness or property damage.
B hazards are urgent and require attention as soon as possible.
Examples of B hazards:
• Forklift trucks are coming around a blind corner into a loading area
without stopping.
• Oil is spilled on a restaurant kitchen floor where servers pick up orders.
• Workers are smoking in a flammable storage area.
C Hazards
Examples of C Hazards:
• A worker is using a hammer with
a loose head on a daily basis for
odd jobs.
• A worker is using a heavy file
without a file handle.
• An eyewash station’s containers
have not been refilled.
Rate the following hazards. Use the reading to help you decide whether the hazard is
an A, B, or C hazard.
• The hazard
• The recommended action to fix the hazard
• The hazard rating (A, B, or C)
• Who is responsible for fixing the hazard
• A suggested completion date
• The date the hazard is fixed
• Who did the inspection
• The location and date of the inspection
www.decoda.ca 31
32
Item Found Recommended Hazard Assigned Date to be Completion
Action Class Responsibility Completed Date
By
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Kinked Sharp
www.decoda.ca 33
Managing Hazards
Pre-reading
What kinds of things do you think about when you are going to manage a hazard at
home or at work?
Reading
Once hazards have been identified they need to be fixed, or managed. The best
ways to manage hazards are:
Activity
Think about how you would manage the hazards you found in your site inspection.
Complete the “Inspection Report Form” on page 32. Be sure to include:
Have you ever had an injury at work that could have been prevented? What could
have been done to manage the workplace hazard that caused the injury?
Reading
Another way of looking for hazards at work is to do a job hazard analysis. For
example, if a worker is complaining of a sore shoulder you can watch him work to see
how he is doing his job. Hopefully, you will be able to analyze what is causing his
shoulder pain.
2. List all the tasks they do (break down each basic step of the job)
www.decoda.ca 35
Activity
Complete the job hazard analysis form below after you watch someone
demonstrate doing his or her job. Or, watch someone actually doing his or her job.
You can look at the sample job hazard analysis on the next page to help you
complete your analysis!
Job Title:
Task:
Date:
1. Fit the hose to the • The oil is hot – it • Allow the oil to cool
drain spout on the could seriously burn down before draining it.
deep fryer and someone. • Wear personal
drain the oil into a • Hot oil could splash. protective equipment:
container. goggles, a face shield,
rubber gloves, rubber
apron, and closed-toe
shoes.
• Use only a dry
container.
2. Take the container • Oil could spill out of • Use only a container
of oil outside to the the container. with a metal lid fitted
oil drum. • The worker could slip with clasps so the lid
on a wet surface or can be secured shut.
bump into someone. • Make sure the walkway
• The container is is clear and hazard free.
heavy. • Use a cart.
3. Pour the oil into the • Oil could splash on • Wear personal
drum. the worker. protective equipment.
• The container is • Use only a special
heavy and hard to container that has a
pour. handle fitted at the
bottom of the container
to help with pouring.
• Ask for help.
www.decoda.ca 37
Reports and Recommendations
Pre-reading
Have you ever seen an inspection or job hazard report? Do you have a notice board
at work where safety information can be shared?
Reading
• Describe the issue. Clearly outline the WHAT, WHY, WHO, WHERE, and
WHEN.
• Give enough information so the employer does not need to ask for more
details or background to make a decision.
• Refer to any accident, incident or other occurrence related to the issue.
2. Describe the recommendation
• For more complex issues, the employer will likely need details and
background information to make a decision. It is helpful to provide answers
to the following questions:
— Are there specific legislation or standards that apply in the Workers
Compensation Act or the Regulation?
— What other options are there? (describe each)
— How well will the recommended options fix the problem or address the issue?
— How long will it take to complete, implement, or see results?
— How much will it cost?
— Who will be affected (which employees)?
— Why was this option recommended?
www.decoda.ca 39
• Often complex issues will involve more than one step. For example:
— Conducting a risk assessment of affected workers
— Purchasing equipment or supplies to address the identified risks
— Developing safe work procedures to reduce or eliminate the hazard
— Providing education and training to affected workers
• Date the recommendation and send it to the manager or supervisor who has
the authority to follow up on it.
5. Send from the co-chairs
Activity
Write a letter to an employer about one of the hazards you found during your site
inspection. Describe the hazard and the actions you recommend to fix, or manage,
the hazard. Be clear and concise!
Use the business letter template on the following page to help you get started.
Person’s name
Business/organization name
Business/organization address
Town or City, BC
Postal code
Dear ________:
Use the first paragraph to explain why you are writing. It should be two to four
sentences long.
The second paragraph can include more information about why you are writing. Three
to five sentences is a good length for a second paragraph.
In the concluding paragraph you should summarize your earlier statements. You can
provide contact information and thank the person for his or her time. Two to three
sentences is a good length for a concluding paragraph.
Sincerely,
Sign your name here
Your name
www.decoda.ca 41
Module 3: Workplace First Aid
Introduction
Pre-reading
Have you ever visited First Aid at work? If so, why did you go?
Reading
Employers must assess the first aid needs in the workplace. Then they must provide
first aid. First aid attendants must be at least 16 years old and have a valid first aid
certificate. The certificate must meet the level of first aid required by WorkSafeBC for
that workplace.
Employers must provide and maintain first aid supplies so workers can be treated if
they are hurt at work. They must also provide a way to transport injured workers for
medical treatment. First aid equipment, supplies and facilities must be kept clean, dry
and ready for use.
Employers must keep a record of all injuries and exposures to contaminants. These
records are confidential and must be kept for at least 3 years. Workers may access or
give access to their own first aid records.
Answer the following questions after you have done the reading. Try to answer
without looking. Then go back and find any answers you missed!
4. Should the employer pay for the worker to be transported to medical care
if it is required?
5. Who should make sure first aid equipment is clean, dry and ready for use?
www.decoda.ca 43
Visits to First Aid
Pre-reading
Reading
WorkSafeBC helps workers who have a work related injury or disease. To get that
help you must report your injury to your employer – even if it is small. A small cut may
just need a bandage. But if it becomes infected it is hard to prove you got the cut at
work if you didn’t go to First Aid when it happened.
If your jobsite doesn’t have a first aid attendant tell your employer about your injury.
Early treatment can prevent further injury. Early reporting can help make a successful
WorkSafeBC claim - if one is necessary.
The list below contains common first aid vocabulary. Can you think of any other
words or phrases to add to the list?
Allergic Hospital
Allergy Inhale
Ambulance Injection
Bandage Insulin
Bleeding Medicine
Breathe Pounding headache
Broken Pressure
Bruise Pulled muscle
Cast Pulse
Cut Rash
Diabetes Scrape
Disinfectant Sling
Dislocated Sprain
Doctor Strain
Exhale Stroke
Fracture Tensor bandage
Heart attack Vomit
Hold your breath Walk in clinic
www.decoda.ca 45
Activities
Work with a partner and role play one of the following dialogues. One partner should
be the first aid attendant (FA). The other partner should be the worker (W).
Cut Finger
FA: Let’s take a look. I’m going to clean it with some saline, so it might
sting a little.
FA: I’m not surprised. It’s a nasty cut you have there. Luckily it’s not on a joint,
and it’s not deep enough to require stitches.
W: That’s good.
FA: I’m going to put a bandage on it. Then, I want you to look out for any signs
of infection. These might include continued throbbing or red streaks going
along the finger away from the cut.
W: OK.
FA: Before you go, could you please sign this first aid form.
www.decoda.ca 47
Now, exchange roles with your partner and role play one of the scenarios below.
Make up the details of the injury. If you’re not sure what to say, go back and look at
the first aid vocabulary on page 45. Be creative!
2. You got some window cleaner in your eye when you were spraying windows.
WorkSafeBC Claims
Pre-reading
When do you think you should start a claim with WorkSafeBC? Have you or someone
you know ever had a WorkSafeBC claim? If yes, what happened?
There are two ways to report a work related injury or disease to WorkSafeBC:
1. Call Teleclaim
WorkSafeBC has translators for many languages. If English isn’t your first
language you can simply say “Punjabi”, or any other language, and within
minutes you can speak to someone in your own language!
Submit your form online to WorkSafeBC if you have missed work as a result
of your injury and you already have a user ID and password. You can log on
later to check your claim.
When you report an injury to WorkSafeBC you will be asked to describe what
happened when you were hurt. You will be asked about any wages you’ve lost due
to missed work. You will also be asked about health care providers you’ve visited
because of your injury.
Report all injuries to your employer as soon as you can. If you have not missed work
as a result of your injury you may not need to report to WorkSafeBC.
www.decoda.ca 49
Review
FIRST AID WORD SEARCH
r n h o s p i t a l i n g b
a u e i b r o k e n t a i r
m c a b l e e d i n g t h u
r u u m l s t r a i n a h i
c t s a b s n y s a b p s s
c h h c e u g e t i r l c e
c n d r l r l c b n e r r c
i p l o e e e a a j a u a g
i e u l c f e e n e t c p a
c r l l n t b p d c h e e s
i a d i s l o c a t e d a l
a d s i b e e r g i a e j i
u i a t e l f c e o i e i n
d e b m e d i c i n e e n g
Introduction
Pre-reading
Have you ever heard the word “ergonomics”? What do you think ergonomics is?
Reading
www.decoda.ca 51
Activity
In a short paragraph describe what you, or your employer, have done to make your
job fit you. If you aren’t working, think about something you have done at home to
make a task more comfortable.
Case Study
An office worker sits at a computer all day. She uses a chair that is too
low for her. The chair cannot be adjusted. As a result, her wrists are very
uncomfortable when she is typing on the keyboard. They are bent in an
awkward position. It is obvious she needs a new adjustable chair or she may
be at risk for an ergonomic injury.
Can you think of any reasons why an employer may not want to buy the office worker
a new chair?
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Pre-reading
Have you ever had an overuse or repetitive strain injury? If yes, what caused it?
www.decoda.ca 53
Reading
Some of the tasks we do at work can strain our bodies. These tasks include lifting,
reaching, and repeating the same movement. At times, these tasks can injure
muscles, joints, tendons and other parts of our bodies. This type of injury is called a
musculoskeletal injury or MSI.
MSI is a common type of workplace injury in BC. MSI claims linked to overuse
and repetitive motion account for about one-third of WorkSafeBC claims. In some
industries this number is much higher.
It is important to report an MSI at its early stage so it doesn’t get any worse. Your
employer may be able to adjust your workstation to help prevent further injury.
It is also important to report an MSI right away so it is clear the MSI was caused at
work. It is a good idea to keep a diary and record your doctor visits, how much pain
you are in each day and what activities make the pain worse. This can help make a
successful claim if your MSI gets worse and you need time off from work.
Activities
Which of the words below is a sign and which is a symptom? List below.
Signs Symptoms
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
www.decoda.ca 55
DISCOMFORT SURVEY
Imagine the drawing below is a drawing of your body. Now think about your aches and
pains. Put an X on all the places on the drawing where you feel aches, pain or strain.
Are there tasks you are doing at work or at home that are causing your aches and
pains? What are they? Why are they causing MSIs? Is there anything you or your
employer could do to remove the risk?
4. Your employer can follow reported MSI trends and plan to do a risk
to find out what is causing MSIs.
www.decoda.ca 57
Workplace Ergonomics Programs
Pre-reading
Reading
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (the Regulation) says employers
must identify risks for MSI in the workplace. Employers must then make sure that
risks to workers are assessed. When assessing risks employers must consider:
Once measures are in place, employers must evaluate how well they are working
and review them yearly. Employers must also consult with the Joint Health and Safety
Committee or the worker health and safety representative when required by the
Regulation.
Use each of the words below in a complete sentence. Use a dictionary if you’re not
sure of the word’s meaning.
1. Assessed
2. Demands
3. Characteristics
4. Conditions
5. Eliminate
6. Exposed
7. Evaluate
www.decoda.ca 59
Activities
ASSESSMENT
Once a hazard is identified, it needs to be assessed to figure out how serious the risk is.
It is important to look at how hard a task is, how long it takes, and how often it is done.
Can you think of any other things to consider when assessing hazards? Think about
your own job. What kinds of things put you at risk for a MSI?
What kinds of hazards put the two workers in the pictures below at risk for a MSI?
Once a hazard has been assessed, control measures are recommended to address
the hazards. The goal is to reduce the risk of the hazard. Control measures must
be arrived at through consultation with workers and the Joint Health and Safety
Committee.
5. Protect workers from the hazard with personal protective equipment (PPE).
The preferred way to control a hazard is to eliminate it. The least preferred way is to
use PPE.
Once controls are in place they should be evaluated within a year to make sure they
are working.
www.decoda.ca 61
Review
ERGONOMICS CROSSWORD
1
2
3 4
5
6 7
8
9
10
11
12
13 14
15
ACROSS DOWN
1. measure success or failure 1. study of people and their working
3. something you can observe conditions
4. use something else 2. the feeling of not being comfortable
5. physical harm or damage 6. use too much
7. keep safe 14. danger
8. get rid of
9. change
10. a job at work
11. something you can feel
12. make available
13. have power over
15. the place you work
Introduction
Pre-reading
What is workplace violence? What kinds of things do you picture when you think
about workplace violence?
Reading
www.decoda.ca 63
Improper activity or behaviour includes horseplay, practical jokes, and unnecessary
running or jumping. Workers must not engage in improper activity or behaviour at
work. It could put them or other workers at risk. Improper activity or behaviour must
be reported to a supervisor or employer right away.
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation: Part 4 – Violence in the Workplace: 4.27,
Workplace Conduct: 4.24 – 4.26
Vocabulary
Some of the words in the reading are made from two smaller words. These are called
compound words.
Some of the words have an extra word part added that changes the meaning of the
word. Word parts that are added to the beginning of words are called prefixes.
Sort the words below into compound words and words with a prefix. When you write
the words, break them into their word parts. For example: afternoon - after/noon.
Write three sentences. Use one of your words or one of the words from the list in
each sentence.
1.
2.
3.
Bullying at work
www.decoda.ca 65
Violence at Work
Reading
Most people think of violence as a physical assault. But all of the words above
describe violent acts that can happen at work – or at work related events.
Some jobs are more at risk for workplace violence than others. These include:
• Identify hazards
• Manage or get rid of hazards
• Develop a plan to check on the worker
2. Before asking a worker to work alone or in isolation in late night retail premises,
employers must:
Working alone
www.decoda.ca 67
Activities
HAZARD MAP
Draw a map of your workplace on the next page. If you aren’t currently working, draw
a map of a past workplace or work with a partner on his or her map.
Think about the places where violence could be a hazard. Mark these places on your
map with sticky dots or coloured markers.
www.decoda.ca 69
Bullying and Harassment
Pre-reading
Reading
Workplace bullying and harassment hurts the person being bullied. It can also hurt
the workplace, co-workers, clients and customers.
People who are bullied and harassed may react differently. Reactions may include:
Bullying and harassment is bad for the workplace. Effects may include:
• Poor morale
• More sick days
• Staff leaving their jobs
• Tension among workers
• Unhappy clients or customers
The table below shows what is and what isn’t bullying and harassment.
Activity
Think about why anyone would bully or harass another person at work. Write a short
paragraph that describes why you think this happens and what you think are the best
ways to handle the problem.
www.decoda.ca 71
Bullying and harassment
are not tolerated
We are committed to creating a safe
and healthy workplace
What can you or your employer do if you feel at risk for violence at work?
Reading
• Workplace design
• Administrative practices
• Work practices
Workplace design looks at workplace lay-out. It includes the use of signs, locks,
barriers, lighting and security.
Administrative practices are decisions about how a business is run. For example,
administrative practices can reduce the risks involved in handling cash.
Work practices include the things people do while they work. People can adopt
different work practices to reduce risk. Preparing a daily work plan, naming a contact
person or using a buddy system are examples of safe work practices.
www.decoda.ca 73
Activity
Go back and look at your hazard map on page 69. Think about some of the ways the
risks or hazards you’ve identified could be controlled.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/Guidelines.asp
Module 2
1. Controlling Exposure
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/
pdf/bk129.pdf
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/pdf/
safety_inspections.pdf
www.decoda.ca 75
4. “What’s Wrong With This Photo” Challenge:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Multimedia/Photos.asp
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/YoungWorker/ResourcesExposure
PreventionSeries.asp
Module 3
http://www.worksafebc.com/forms/assets/PDF/55B23.pdf
http://www2.worksafebc.com/topics/firstaid/RegulationAndGuidelines.asp
http://www.worksafebc.com/claims/report_injury/worker_incident_injury_report/
default.asp
http://www.worksafebc.com/forms/assets/PDF/6a.pdf
1. Ergonomics
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/Ergonomics/Home.asp
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/
ergonomics/default.asp
http://www2.worksafebc.com/PDFs/General/Lifting-in-the-Workplace-Video
Guide.pdf
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Multimedia/Videos.asp?ReportID=36871
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/Part4.asp
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/assets/
pdf/msi_workers.pdf
http://www2.worksafebc.com/pdfs/ergonomics/MSI_worksheet_A_fillable.pdf
http://www2.worksafebc.com/pdfs/ergonomics/MSI_worksheet_B_fillable.pdf
www.decoda.ca 77
Module 5
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/Part4.asp
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/BullyingAndHarassment/home.asp
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/BullyingAndHarassment/Resources.
asp?reportID=37260
4. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Violence in the Workplace
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/violence.html
5. Violence Prevention
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/Violence/Home.asp
Additional tools and handouts can be obtained from the BCFED Health & Safety
Centre at www.healthandsafetybc.ca or by calling 604-430-1421.