Violence in the Workplace Keeping the workplace safe

Section I Introduction 2

Workplace violence: –Affects 1 out of 4 American workers yearly –Claims more lives each year than AIDS and drunk driving combined –Costs industry over $4 billion a year 3

Introduction Workplace violence –Homicide –Insubordination –Threats and verbal intimidation –Harassment –Sexual assaults and rape 4

Introduction Workplace violence: –Stalkings –Theft –Fights, beatings & stabbings –Vandalism and arson –Taking hostages 5

Definitions Abusive behavior Assault Battery Injury 6

Definitions Larceny Mental harm Robbery Situational crime prevention 7

Definitions Target-hardening Threat Violent act Workplace 8

Section II Employers and Employees 9

Management commitment Create a policy Take incidents seriously Outline plan for maintaining security 10

Management commitment Assign authority Provide resources Accountability Appropriate actions 11

Management commitment Reporting procedures Encourage suggestions No punishment or discrimination for those who report or suffer violence 12

Management commitment Provide medical and psychological counseling Work with other parties 13

Employee involvement Sources of information Experience Problem solving Support 14

Employee involvement Surveys and suggestions Security analysis Report incidents 15

Employee involvement Security inspections Evaluation of prevention measures Training Continuing education Share on-the-job experiences 16

Employee involvement Employer and employee cooperation –One-on-one –Team approach –Limitations 17

Section III Worksite Analysis 18

Worksite analysis Risk factors: –Contact with public –Exchange of money –Deliveries –Mobile workplace –Working in high risk settings 19

Worksite analysis Risks include: –Working alone –Working late night or early morning –High-crime areas –Guarding valuables –Working in community-based settings 20

Worksite analysis Multiple risk factors Third parties responsible for work-related homicides Robbery primary motive Reducing robberies should reduce homicides 21

Worksite analysis Sexual assault –Greater than risk of homicide for women –Not robbery related –Tend to occur at night –Females working alone 22

Worksite analysis Robbers –Not choose targets randomly –Want easy access or escape –Want low risk of detection –Want lone workers –Look for lack of police or guards –Commit robbery late at night 23

Worksite analysis Steps include –Review records and past experiences –Worksite inspection and analysis –Periodic audits 24

Worksite analysis Records and past experiences –Robberies? –Assaults? –Other crime? –Threats or harassment? 25

Worksite analysis Records and past experiences : –Serious injuries? –Weapons? –Operations targeted? –Time of day? 26

Worksite analysis Records and past experiences –Number of employees on duty? –Tasks performed? –Preventive measures? –Victim’s actions? –Police involvement? 27

Worksite analysis Inspection and analysis –Walkthrough –Incident analysis –Identify trends –Identify risk factors –Evaluate existing security 28

Worksite analysis Periodic safety audit: –Review hazards –Evaluate effectiveness –Address changes 29

Section IV Hazard Prevention 30

Hazard prevention Controls: –Engineering –Administrative –Work practice 31

Hazard prevention Combination of controls for robbery-related violence –Increase risk to perpetrator –Security cameras –Time-release safes –No easy escape routes –Business closed late at night 32

Hazard prevention Engineering controls –Improve visibility –Adequate lighting –Fences –Drop safes 33

Hazard prevention Engineering controls –Video surveillance –Height markers –Door detectors –Controlled access 34

Hazard prevention Engineering controls –Alarm systems –Metal detectors –Barriers 35

Hazard prevention Engineering controls –"Safe rooms" –Secure bathrooms –Vehicle maintenance 36

Hazard prevention Administrative and work practice controls –Daily procedures –Minimal cash –Emergency procedures –Police liaison 37

Hazard prevention Administrative and work practice controls –Communication –Barriers –Staffing –"Buddy system" –Lock doors 38

Hazard prevention Administrative and work practice controls –Walk & work outside safely –Closing & opening procedures – Limit non-employee access –Request police assistance 39

Hazard prevention Post-incident: –Medical care –Report to police –Notification authorities –Inform management 40

Hazard prevention Post-incident: –Secure premises –Incident report –Treatment & counseling 41

Section V Training 42

Training Job hazards Policy Risks Behaviors recognition 43

Training Diversity Work procedures Security measures 44

Training Incident response Emergency action Reporting and recordkeeping Follow-up care 45

Section VI Evaluation 46

Evaluation Evaluation process –Review safety audits –Review post-incident reports –Examine meeting reports 47

Evaluation Evaluation process –Analyze trends –Employee consultations –New strategies 48

Evaluation Records –Injury and illness –Incident reports –Hazard analyses 49

Evaluation Records –Recommendations –Actions taken –Meeting notes –Training records 50

Section VII Summary 51

Summary of main points Defined workplace violence terms Employer and employee roles Worksite analysis Engineering and workplace controls Training Evaluation 52

Questions? 53