Significant changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to address workplace violence and harassment coming

Introduction : "The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act, (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace), 2009 received Royal Assent on December 15, 2009. The law will come into force on June 15, 2010, and will make a number of significant changes to the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “OHSA”). The purpose of the new legislation is to safeguard workers from workplace violence and harassment. The legislation designates workplace violence and harassment as occupational health and safety hazards under the OHSA and establishes new obligations for employers with respect to workplace violence and harassment prevention."