Why reduce the risk of aggression and violence at work?
The cost of workplace violence includes financial costs of absenteeism, lost productivity, higher workers’ compensation insurance premiums and medical expenses, and also personal costs of emotional trauma suffered by victims and their families. Even the risk of violence, threats or abuse in a workplace can cause stress and emotional suffering. Both employers and employees benefit from reducing the risk of violence at work. The Occupational Safety and Health Act has duties requiring employers and persons in control of workplaces to provide safe and healthy workplaces so employees and others at the workplace are not exposed to hazards. Employers must consult and cooperate with safety and health representatives and employees about safety and health in the workplace. These laws mean employers must take all practicable measures to reduce the risks of violence at work, as for any other hazard. Employees also have a duty under the Act to take reasonable care of the safety and health of themse
