April 18, 2004 Work-Site News
Threat Assessment

September 11, 2003 Business Edge Magazine
New anti-violence rules to govern workplace

OH&S Workplace Violence Legislation (Alberta)

This is to outline the implication of the new OH&S legislation for businesses in Alberta pertaining to workplace violence and related issues. The new Code, Section 27, was passed by Ministerial Order on October 30, 2003. It requires Alberta businesses to:

• have a workplace violence policy (with specific criteria) and procedures
• conduct a risk/hazard assessment (of all business practices)
• conduct employee training (for all levels, from senior administrators to front-line staff)
• do notification of employees of any workplace violence risks
• create a system for reporting/tracking/responding/correcting incidents as they arise and
• do regular review and updating (of policy, practices and training)

This legislation, although only one page long in the Code, is sweeping and comprehensive. It will change the way organizations do business. Many organizations are not set up with internal expertise in this particular area. TAMA Inc., in conjunction with a strategic alliance partner, has developing a tiered system for responding to businesses of varying sizes and needs to assist them with compliance with the pending legislation. The purpose in preparing a tiered format is to simplify the process for companies, taking little time away from their core business function, thus saving precious time and money.

There are human resources and security divisions in larger companies that are not equipped to handle this issue and their functions are taken up with many varied issues. TAMA Inc. recognizes that there will be organizations and companies who desire that this issue be handled by someone with extensive experience in this area. It is one due diligence item can easily come back to haunt a company when there is a tragic incident (ie: OCTranspo shooting April, 1999 in Ottawa or the Kamloops shooting of October, 2002 – an employee termination gone awry).

Alberta Department of Labour OH&S has announced the changes in news releases. The Edmonton Journal carried the story on the front page on October 31, 2003. Businesses have a window of only 6 months to comply, a ‘phasing in’ period, or grace period, the compliance date being May 1, 2004. After that, the first offence penalty can be a $500,000 fine and/or 6 months in jail, a huge deterrent hammer to be sure.

TAMA Inc. has extensive experience with similar legislation in Saskatchewan and B.C. which have had OH&S requirements there since the mid 90’s. Alberta's is similar to those, close in form but much narrower in definition at this point. We invite you to register to receive a newsletter with updates or submit a specific request for TAMA Inc. contact your company’s representative for a service quote to assist you with compliance on this complicated and comprehensive legislation.

Business Edge Magazine featured the OH&S legislation (and TAMA Inc.), in their September 11th edition, which provided businesses an insight into what would be coming. Now that the legislation is here, please feel free to contact TAMA Inc., or principal Heather Gray, at 780.988.2484 info@tamainc.net to discuss any aspect of the services offered by TAMA Inc. (Threat Assessment and Management Associates Inc.). We would welcome the opportunity to assist you with any aspect of compliance.

April 18, 2004 Work-Site News
Threat Assessment

September 11, 2003 Business Edge Magazine
New anti-violence rules to govern workplace