Failed to develop specific violence prevention procedures
The Interior Health Authority, based in Princeton, B.C., has been fined $628,034 for an incident that occurred in 2016 at its mental health drop-in centre.
A worker was with a client at the Kn ala Inclusion House Mental Health Program when a member of the public tried to enter the centre. After being denied entry, this person assaulted both the worker and the client. WorkSafeBC’s investigation determined that the employer had not conducted a violence prevention risk assessment nor had it developed specific violence prevention procedures that took into account the risks associated with the particular work site. Effective July 6, Interior Health has closed the Kn ala centre and is looking for a new location.
“Safety is a key priority for us at Interior Health,” said Danielle Cameron, mental health and substance use health services administrator for Interior Health (IH) central. “IH has reviewed the findings of the WorkSafeBC investigation into the 2016 incident and determined that the Kenley Avenue (location) is not suitable from a safety perspective. For that reason, we have asked the service provider to cease operations at their current building and find a new location within 90 days.”
WorkSafeBC said the employer is being penalized for failing to ensure the health and safety of its workers and for failing to conduct an assessment of violence risks to its workers. These were both repeated and high-risk violations.
This article originally appeared in the October/November 2018 issue of COS.
