Links to the apology laws in the six jurisdictions that have them.

Workers are generally less at risk of attack when there are co-workers, supervisors and others around. But many workers work by themselves. Some work onsite but at odd hours, such as security guards or cleaning staff. Others work offsite, such as salesmen, couriers and homecare nurses. Either way, workers who work alone are particularly vulnerable to workplace violence. Lawmakers and regulators across Canada have begun to recognize this special vulnerability and are requiring employers to do something about it. For example, last year, BC set new requirements for workers working alone or in isolation after a Maple Ridge gas station attendant was killed in a “gas-and-dash” incident. And a company in Alberta was recently charged with safety offences after a female security guard was raped while working alone one night.

C-45 took effect on March 31, 2004. Since then, there have been 11 reported cases in which a Canadian court had to decide if a company’s safety program was up to the standard of due diligence. Here are the key details of each one:

A look at the cases to determine if your program measures up.

Ensure that your company’s JHSC complies with the OHS laws’ meeting requirements.