Workplace violence injuries in Manitoba triple over the decade, new report shows
Published on 07/14/2026 at 10:59 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Workplace violence injuries in Manitoba have tripled over the past decade, jumping from 641 reported incidents in 2015 to 2,187 in 2025, according to a report released on July 13, 2026, by the Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL). The sharp rise has prompted calls for a coordinated provincial prevention strategy and stricter enforcement of safety standards, with implications for employers across Canada and beyond.
High-risk roles and demographic trends
The MFL report identified the sectors where workers face the greatest danger. Home support workers recorded the highest number of time-loss injuries due to violence, with 180 incidents, followed by teacher assistants at 163 and nurse aides at 155. Women are disproportionately affected, accounting for 60% of all time-loss injuries related to workplace violence.
The MFL’s call for a comprehensive violence prevention framework starts with proper risk assessments. A free Risk Assessment Toolkit provides 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists to help you identify hazards, document controls, and meet your legal duties — from lone working to client interactions. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
The federation also highlighted a significant gap in worker protections: approximately 25% of Manitoba's workforce is not covered by the Workers Compensation Board (WCB). To address the rising numbers, the MFL issued 10 recommendations, including a focus on safe staffing levels and the creation of a comprehensive violence prevention framework.
Legislative action across North America
The rise in reported violence coincides with several legislative and judicial moves to broaden worker protections across the continent. In Massachusetts, the state Senate is expected to vote during the week of July 13, 2026, on a workplace violence prevention bill. While the House version proposes felony charges for assaults on healthcare workers, the Senate version focuses on making misdemeanour assaults arrestable without a warrant and requiring healthcare facilities to provide paid leave for victims.
In a significant judicial development, the Florida Supreme Court ruled on July 9, 2026, that workplace assaults are compensable if the work environment increases a worker's risk of injury. The case, Bouayad v. Normandy Ins. Co., involved an employee shot while walking between locations in a high-crime area. The court held that risks incidental to employment — such as working at night in dangerous vicinities — fall under the scope of work performed.
In Quebec, new regulations under Bill 42, which took effect on May 13, 2026, have expanded the definition of workplace violence to include sexual violence. The regulation establishes a presumption that any injury resulting from sexual violence is work-related and requires employers to conduct formal risk assessments and provide training every three years.
As violence prevention requirements tighten across North America, having a complete health & safety toolkit can simplify compliance. Over 37,000 UK companies already use the free Health & Safety Toolkit, which includes risk assessments, checklists, and toolbox talks covering essential regulations — all ready to download and use. Get the free Health & Safety Toolkit
Funding and economic impact
Federal and regional authorities are also responding to the growing impact of workplace hazards. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on July 1, 2026, the availability of $12.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants. Organisations have until July 31, 2026, to apply for the funds, which target small businesses and high-hazard industries, including restaurants, for instructor-led training on hazard prevention.
The economic toll of workplace stress and violence is reflected in international data. In Australia, serious mental health workers' compensation claims reached 17,600 during the 2023-24 period — a 161% increase over the decade. Violence accounted for 15.7% of those claims, following harassment and work pressure.
In California, insurance authorities have approved a 6.6% increase in workers' compensation rates effective September 1, 2026. While lower than the initially requested 10.4%, the increase is driven by rising medical costs and a growing share of complex indemnity claims, which have risen from 17.8% to 26.4% over three years.
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