Hospital security officers across British Columbia are reporting injuries at a troubling pace, a new analysis shows. In 2024 alone, the Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia (WorkSafeBC) accepted nearly 170 injury claims from hospital security staff, averaging close to one incident every other day provincewide.
Fraser Health recorded the most accepted claims (50), followed by Providence Health (46), reports Canadian Occupational Safety. Interior Health reported 27, Vancouver Coastal Health 22, and Island Health 20.
Assaults Prompt Creation of New Hospital Security Officer Role in B.C.
The province launched a specialized hospital security officer role — relational security officers (RSOs) — almost two years ago in response to assaults targeting nurses and other healthcare workers. RSOs receive training in trauma‑informed approaches and de‑escalation, emphasizing prevention over force. Despite this, three RSOs told CBC News they’ve been punched, kicked, spat on, and bitten while on the job. Those incidents led to WorkSafeBC claims, time off, and both physical and psychological harm.
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The union representing about 750 RSOs says the injury numbers are alarming and likely underreported.
Several RSOs also say current policies restrict their ability to respond to violent situations. For example, officers in Fraser Health and Providence Health are not allowed to use handcuffs to restrain aggressive individuals. Some staff members argue this increases their risk while they wait for police to come to the hospital.
Fraser Health said RSOs undergo rigorous, healthcare‑specific training and noted it is reviewing its handcuff policy. The B.C. Ministry of Health added that additional hospital safety measures are under consideration, including AI‑powered weapons detection in emergency departments, a technology some other Canadian hospital have already deployed.
