Representing over 1200 full and part-time teachers in the Guelph, Fergus
Orangeville, Shelburne, Mount Forest, Grand Valley, and Arthur area.

Violent Incidents

June 13, 2002

Reporting Violent Incidents
An increasing number of teachers are concerned about aggressive behaviour directed at them by students in their schools. This issue may also include special needs students with behaviour problems. Questions are being asked about what staff can do when a violent incident occurs between themselves and a student. This information is in response to these concerns from an Occupational Health and Safety point of view.

If you are the victim of aggressive or violent behaviour by a student while working at a school, you need to report it and follow certain steps. Violent behaviour may be defined as any incident in which an employee feels that he/she is threatened verbally or in writing and /or is abused, harassed or assaulted physically, emotionally, sexually, racially or ethno culturally, resulting in the impairment of health and safety of any employee.

We know it is inconvenient and time consuming to fill out forms, but it is vital. If you don’t report the incidents of aggressive behaviour and ask to fill in reports, the Joint Health and Safety Committee will not know about it and therefore cannot effect change in this area. Also, it is important that there be a record of your incident in case something more serious should happen in the future.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Report the incident to the Principal, Vice Principal or Designate.
2. Ask to fill out an Employee Incident/Accident Report. This report is sent to the Joint Health and Safety Committee at the Board Office and is important because it tracks the frequency of violent incidents. The Joint Health and Safety Committee relies on this information to help make recommendations regarding violence to the Director.
3. Ask to have the Principal or Vice Principal fill out a Violent Incident Report. This form contains the name of the violent student and is sent to the Superintendent of Education for tracking of violent students. It is important because it is an official record of that student’s aggressive behaviour.
4. Photocopy both forms for your records and ask the principal to send on the originals.

Reporting violent incidents and filling out both forms should be one part of the process that you follow after an incident. Discussing your concerns with your principal and exploring a plan to protect your safety are also necessary. If you are having difficulty establishing a plan that includes appropriate support and interventions, you are encouraged to talk to your Joint Health and Safety Representative listed on your Health and Safety bulletin board. You may also phone Jim Bowie, the Board’s Health and Safety Officer, for assistance (837-0090 Ext 879).