The Government of Yukon is seeking input about preventing violence and harassment in Yukon workplaces to inform regulation changes under the Yukon Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Yukoners can share feedback at a public open house on June 18 in Whitehorse, complete an online survey at engageyukon.ca or provide written submissions by June 30, 2019.
An amendment was made to the Occupational Health and Safety Act in 2017 to enable the development of regulations aimed at preventing workplace psychological injuries.
The Government of Yukon is also proposing to enhance existing Occupational Health and Safety Regulations to make it clearer and easier to understand workplace hazard assessment requirements.
No Yukon worker should be exposed to violence or harassment in their workplace. These important changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations will address serious health and safety concerns and further support employers in improving both the physical and the psychological safety of Yukon workers.
Minister responsible for the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board Jeanie Dendys
The regulations will provide a framework to help ensure workers are protected from the psychological injuries that can result from workplace violence and harassment. Input from stakeholders and the public will help to make changes to workplace safety legislation as strong, effective and workable as possible.
YWCHSB President/CEO Kurt Dieckmann
The public open house will take place on Tuesday June 18, 2019, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the NorthLight Innovation located at 2180 Second Ave in Whitehorse.
Major causes of psychological injury include direct exposure to traumatic events, real or perceived threat of violence in the workplace, bullying and sexual harassment.
Hazard assessments identify hazards and related risk of injury in a workplace, as well as how best to prevent and mitigate those hazards.
The Government of Yukon is proposing two regulatory changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations:
- A new regulation to help prevent violence and harassment in the workplace.
- An amendment to strengthen and clarify the requirement for hazard assessments.
YWCHSB is hosting a public engagement process to solicit input from stakeholders and the public about both proposed changes.
- An online survey
- A stakeholder meeting
- A public open house
YWCHSB will publish a “What We Heard” report on completion of the engagement process.
This fall, the Government of Yukon will commence a public engagement on the modernization of the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Lisa Bucher
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0480
lisa.bucher@gov.yk.ca
Andrew Robulack
Communications, Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Branch
867-689-2574
andrew.robulack@gov.yk.ca