Working Alone

WORKER(S)

1. NLC Instructors will make students aware of the Student Code of Conduct and the Classroom Code of Conduct as part of the course/class introduction.
2. The college requires its workers to be vigilant of their surroundings and to be aware of any change to their environment that might put them at risk.
3. Any significant changes to the work environment should be reported to the supervisor.
4. With the exception of security staff, no person governed by this policy shall engage aggressive students or members of the public for any reason other than to ask them to leave.
5. Workers will report any incidents of violence, threat of violence, or perceived threats of violence to their supervisor.
6. Workers will summon appropriate emergency services (RCMP) in the event of a threat or the perception of an imminent threat.

SUPERVISOR(S)

*Note* For the purpose of this policy supervisor means a person who instructs, directs and controls workers in the performance of their duties.

1. Are responsible for identifying all subordinates that are at risk of encountering violence while performing their duties for the College.
2. Will establish (with the assistance of the HSEA) procedures for these workers to follow so that the risk of encountering violence is minimized or eliminated.
3. Shall record any incidents of violence towards a worker and forward this information to the Human Resources (HR) Director, the Health, Safety & Environment Advisor (HSEA), and the appropriate Campus Administrator.
4. Provide assistance to the affected person(s) in obtaining any Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/Grief counseling necessary.
5. Assist the RCMP and/or WorkSafeBC with any investigations that may occur as a result of the incident.
6. Work in consultation with the HSEA in the development of future policies and procedures for the purpose of prevention.

HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT ADVISOR

1. Will assist the Supervisor and/or Campus Administrators in creating, reviewing and adjusting procedures for eliminating or reducing the risk of workers encountering violence.
2. Will assist the Supervisor and/or Campus Administrators in creating, reviewing and adjusting procedures for instructors to deal with problem students.
3. Will keep records of incident and general observations for the period of two years.
4. Will inform the appropriate campus Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) of incidents and observations concerning the Violence in the Workplace – Prevention and Avoidance Policy and provide copies to the Regional Health and Safety Committee. Along with the campus JOHSC, will annually review the Policy and established procedures for dealing with problem students and take into consideration any suggestions provided by the JOHSC for improvement of the existing policy.
5. Will work with the Campus Administrator to investigate incidents and review the effectiveness of the procedures concerning violence avoidance.

CAMPUS ADMINISTRATOR

1. Are responsible for identifying all subordinates that are at risk of encountering violence while performing their duties for the College.
2. Will establish (with the assistance of the HSEA) procedures for these workers to follow so that the risk of encountering violence is minimized or eliminated.
3. Along with the Supervisor and HSEA, will establish written procedures for instructors to deal with problem students or to deal with members of the public behaving in a threatening manner.
4. Investigate, along with the HSEA, incidents and observations arising from violent incidents.

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

1. Ensure that Northern Lights College maintains an effective system for dealing with violent incidents.
2. Take remedial actions as necessary to sustain the system and procedures for incidents of violence.

Related Links

Violence in the Workplace Policy

Applicable Procedures

Classroom Conduct

-- Created June 2007 | Revised December 2011 |-----