SECTION A Procedures: Foundations and Basic Commitments

Safe work procedures have been developed to inform and train employees about the risks of violence.  Safe work procedures on violence prevention include:

• • Review of the violence prevention policy with all staff including but not limited to:

    • • emergency preparedness plan

      • working alone or in isolation

      • individual student safety plans

  • Employees must follow any plans reviewed with them and supervisors must ensure the plans are followed.

  • Working Effectively with Violent or Aggressive Students (WEVAS) training, if applicable

  • Radio communication is provided to all bus drivers.

See also AF, AF-R, ED

Notification of Risk

Any time there has been a change in the nature or extent of the risk of violence, the School Administrator will provide employees (and volunteers, if applicable) with all of the information available, including personal information, within the limitations of the law.  Information will be provided to the extent necessary for the purpose.

If Violence Occurs (Immediate Care)

Employees will be:

• • encouraged to seek medical help from their healthcare providers

  • encouraged to seek referrals for post-incident counselling, if required

  • given the opportunity to be examined by a doctor and transported to a medical facility, if required.

Employees will keep all existing benefits while under treatment or counselling.

How to Report Incidents of Violence

• 1. If the situation has or is likely to escalate into a physical act of violence, contact the police immediately and activate school safety procedures.

  2. An employee must report all threats or acts of violence to their immediate supervisor.

  3. If the incident meets the definition of a “serious incident” as defined by Part 2 of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, the supervisor will immediately notify the Superintendent.

  4. The supervisor will notify the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Division (as outlined under the section, Incident Investigation).

  5. The employee and the supervisor will complete an Incident Report Form (AFA-E).  The form must be completed for all incidents, whether the incident involves a threat or act of violence, and be submitted to the Superintendent.  The Incident Report Form (AFA-E) is to be completed and submitted within 24 hours of the incident with copies to the immediate supervisor and either the Superintendent or Secretary-Treasurer.

  6. In addition, the Division will notify Manitoba Education (Education Administration Services), utilizing the provided Manitoba Education Serious Incident reporting form as quickly as possible of serious school incidents (including to and from home) where as a result of the incident, any of the following occurs:

1. A student or staff member requires professional medical attention;

2. A letter is sent home concerning the incident;

3. The media is in contact with the school or division; or,

4. The police or other emergency services are notified. [Letter D. Yeo, November 1, 2005]

Incident Investigation

When an incident of violence has occurred and been reported, the following steps will be taken:

• 1. The Superintendent, the supervisor and any other persons required, will complete an investigation into the incident.

  2. All information available and relevant to the violent incident will be provided to the Superintendent and/or an identified divisional support team.

  3. The investigation results will be summarized.

  4. The recommendations will be reviewed with the appropriate employees and documented on the Incident Report Form (AFA-E).  The Incident Report Form (AFA-E) is to be completed and submitted within 24 hours of the incident with copies to the immediate supervisor and either the Superintendent or Secretary-Treasurer.

  5. Progress on implementing any recommendations will be provided to staff and if applicable, it will be noted on the safety and health committee minutes.

Annual Report

A summary of each investigation report (in accordance with Workplace Health & Safety regulations - Section 11.7(1) and (2)) will be included in the annual workplace report on violence produced every April.  The annual report on violence will be provided by the Superintendent to the school administrators for dissemination to staff no later than June 1 of each year.

Employees Affected by Violence

Employees who have been victims of violence will be:

• • given the opportunity to be examined by a doctor and transported to a medical facility, if required.

  • encouraged to seek medical help from their healthcare providers.

  • encouraged to seek referrals for critical incident debriefing, if required.

  • provided reasonable resources and/or supports, if requested.

  • observed by the school administrator to ensure no residual long term effects go unchecked. 

Employees will keep all existing benefits while under treatment or counselling.

Members of Manitoba Teachers’ Society may receive support and services under the Educator Assistance Program.

If a support staff employee gets medical help or misses work, both the employer and employee must file a report of injury with the Workers Compensation Board. 

The incident and its effects will be reviewed with reasonable steps taken to accommodate employees involved in the incident.

Follow up to a Violent Incident/Debriefing

Debriefing and reflection of a violent incident investigation greatly assists the School Division to develop and ensure overall protocol continues to improve prevention of violence in the workplace.

• • What was helpful?

  • What worked?

  • What could have been done differently?

  • What did you learn going through this process?

  • What policy/procedural changes need to be considered?

Any assistance and/or report on the process can be forwarded to the Division Office for the purposes of reviewing this policy.