AND WOMEN What is trauma?

Trauma can be broadly defined as an extreme event in one’s life that is beyond the range of normal experience and can induce a state of severe fear, helplessness, horror or other signs of distress. Trauma can result from experiencing a traumatic event directly or from seeing trauma occur to someone else. Traumatic events in the workplace include accidents, incidents or injuries experienced during the course doing one’s job. In most jurisdictions, such events are included under occupational health and safety legislation. Traumatic experience both in and out of the workplace can have an impact on people. o Examples of traumatic experiences in the workplace include: Death or serious injury of a person Physical threats or attacks Bomb threats, explosions or fire Intentional or unintentional release of chemicals or infectious agents Search and rescue activities o Examples of traumatic experiences outside of the workplace include: Losing a loved one Relationship or parental difficultie