Workplace Violence and MSD
How are workplace violence and MSD related?
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Primary mechanisms
Chronic stress exposure
- Chronic or repeated exposure to physical or psychological violence can contribute to stress and anxiety, resulting in:
- Delayed tissue healing
- Reduced pain tolerance
- Pain anticipation
- Chronic stress may develop due to:
- Experiencing physical or emotional violence in the workplace (e.g., angry customers or coworkers)
- Secondary exposure (e.g., witnessing violence) among other factors
Effects on posture
- At risk workers may adjust postures to avoid assault, contributing to awkward postures and/or movements
Direct physical injury
- Involvement in physical assault can cause immediate injury, that may result in or contribute to MSD (e.g., restraining an attacker, using defensive movements, and experiencing direct impact from the assault)
Risk factors and protective factors for MSD and workplace violence
Protective factors
Access to accessible, blame-free reporting systems
Access to psychological support, employee assistance programs, etc.
Supportive and safe work environments can buffer the impacts of violence, reducing the risk for MSD when violence occurs
Use of participatory ergonomics to identify, assess and control MSD risk
• This evidence-based approach relies on worker participation and collaboration, which can also be used to reduce the risk of workplace violence
For more information on participatory ergonomics, refer to Step 2: Facilitate and Encourage Workers' Participation on the MSD Prevention Guideline.
Overlapping risk factors
• Organizational factors: directly influenced or controlled by the employer and related to how work is designed, organized, and managed. Examples of risk factors:
- – Inadequate staffing
- – Irregular or extended shift work
- – Night shifts
- – Low job control
- – Job insecurity
- – Lack of training and/or reporting procedures
• Psychosocial factors: interactions between cultural, social and psychological factors determined at or by the workplace that impact employees' responses to work and their work environment. Examples of risk factors:
- – Exposure to psychological violence and bullying
- – Acceptance of risk as “part of the job”
- – Job stress/burnout
- – Lack of perceived coworker, supervisor, or organizational support
- – Inadequate safety procedures
- – Poor organizational culture
- – Lack of psychological safety
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Additional Workplace Violence Resources
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- Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA): Violence, Aggression & Responsive Behaviour (VARB) Toolkits
- Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS): Violence & Harassment
- Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA): Workplace Violence and Harassment