BY KIRK STARRATT

Kings County Register

The response has been very positive.

The Department of Environment and Labour and the Workers’ Compensation Board is working with the Nova Scotia Community College on free Workplace Violence Prevention Planning Workshops, held locally at the Wandlyn Inn, Kentville, Feb. 28.

Some workplaces must create a plan by April 1 under new Occupational Health and Safety regulations. The workshops are meant to help workplaces use risk assessments and design prevention plans that address specific risks.

Gil Johnson, training consultant for the NSCC, said they started last June with information sessions around the province. Planning workshops began in the fall. So far, they have been able to talk to about 1,500 people.

He said that’s all helping raise awareness of the new regulations, and how they apply to individual businesses.

Johnson said it’s laid out clearly in the regulations what sort of workplaces have to take part in developing violence prevention plans: healthcare and related workplaces, educational settings, places where correctional or security services are in use, businesses where money is exchanged, businesses where liquor is sold or consumed and other workplaces where employees interact with the public. If your business isn’t listed specifically, there is still an onus to provide a safe workplace.

Johnson said the key to developing prevention plans is understanding what workplace violence is - including the threat of physical injury.

“People in general are starting to get the message,” he said. “They get to hear from other people in the group what their experiences are.”

They have four trainers to deliver the planning workshops, and they’re trying to target as many people out as possible. The workshops are valuable if you have your prevention plan nearly completed, or if you’re just learning about the regulations.

“We get people to the same level,” Johnson said. “They’re reporting back that it’s very beneficial.”

Trainer Keltie Johnson said she’s found people aren’t aware of the new regulations, and there have been “light-bulb” moments.

Jim LeBlanc, Occupational Health and Safety Division Director, Department of Environment and Labour; said the regulations were announced last April as part of a government strategy to address violence in the workplace, on the government’s agenda for the past five to 10 years. Following violent incidents in workplaces and a campaign by organized labour to raise awareness of the risk of violence for workers in healthcare facilities, the Minister’s Advisory Committee conducted a review. and made a recommendation. Government announced it would move forward with a strategy.