Safety Focused: Bullying in the Workplace and Reporting Workplace Hazards

Reporting Workplay Hazards

Workplace hazards can be extremely detrimental to employees and the organization at large, potentially causing health and safety issues. If a hazard is identified at the workplace, it should be reported immediately to a supervisor.

Identifying a Hazard

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, a hazard is defined as any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or someone. Hazards are classified into six categories:

  • Biological
  • Chemical
  • Ergonomic
  • Physical
  • Psychological
  • Safety

To identify a hazard, think about what materials you come into contact with, equipment or materials you could be struck by, what you might slip or trip on, what you could fall from or how you could overexert yourself.

Reporting Workplace Hazards

Organizations should perform regular risk assessments to identify hazards, the risks associated with them, and appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard or control the risk.

Notify your supervisor immediately if you believe that you or a colleague are in immediate danger from situations such as the following:

  • Exposure to moving machinery parts
  • Machinery that can be started accidentally
  • Exposure to chemicals or biological hazards
  • A serious risk of falls from heights
  • Risk of electric shock or arc flash burns
  • Unsafe excavation

Addressing Bullying in the Workplace

Bullying can be a real problem for adults in the workforce and may refer to many different types of negative behaviours. Bullying is defined as verbal comments or acts that could mentally or physically hurt or isolate a person. Typically, bullying is a pattern of behaviour that aims to intimidate, offend, degrade or humiliate a particular person or group of people. This can include, but is not limited to:

  • Spreading malicious rumors about someone
  • Socially isolating someone
  • Belittling a person’s opinions
  • Deliberately impeding or undermining a person’s work
  • Setting a person up to fail with impossible deadlines or tasks

The Differences Between Bullying and Harassment

Bullying and harassment are different in many ways. Unlike harassment, bullying is typically repeated and includes intent. Also, bullying is not necessarily illegal or done to a protected category of individual.

How to Address Workplace Bullying

The best method for addressing workplace bullying is to first clearly communicate to the perpetrator or your supervisor that the behaviour is not acceptable, and ask that the behaviour stop. If needed, have a union member with you to make you feel more comfortable during this confrontation. Review your workplace’s policies on bullying for assistance with the appropriate steps to take.

Keep a factual journal of bullying events, including the date, time and details of the bullying behaviours, the name of any witnesses, the outcomes of the events and copies of any messages or emails received from the perpetrator. This can be referenced to later as proof of a pattern of malicious behaviour. Under no circumstance should you retaliate against the perpetrator.