Remove yourself from danger

If someone is being violent in your workplace, you have the right to refuse to do your work. There is a special process you must follow to refuse work.

First you must tell your employer or supervisor why you think it’s not safe for you to do your work. They could suggest some changes to make it safer. If you think this will make things safe, you should return to work.

But if you still think you’re not safe, tell them that you’re using your right to refuse unsafe work that’s in the Occupational Health and Safety Act or the Canada Labour Code.

The law says that your employer cannot:

• force you to do the work until it’s safe
• punish you for not doing the work

You or your employer must also call the Ministry of Labour Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008.