1. Social Worker Safety

2. Social Worker Safety VML Insurance Programs Thomas Bullock, III
Law Enforcement Specialist

3. Discussion points
What does Virginia law say about guns in the workplace?
Vicarious liability
Examine the “complete” picture of Workplace Violence
Prevention strategies
Questions

4. § 15.2-915. Control of firearms; applicability to authorities and local governmental agencies.
Nothing in this section shall prohibit a locality from adopting workplace rules relating to terms and conditions of employment of the workforce. However, no locality shall adopt any workplace rule, other than for the purposes of a community services board or behavioral health authority as defined in §  , that prevents an employee of that locality from storing at that locality's workplace a lawfully possessed firearm and ammunition in a locked private motor vehicle. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a law-enforcement officer, as defined in §  , from acting within the scope of his duties

5. Vicarious Liability
Vicarious liability refers to a situation where someone is held responsible for the actions or omissions of another person. In a workplace context, an employer can be liable for the acts or omissions of its employees, provided it can be shown that they took place in the course of their employment

6. If You Are So Inclined
1. Draft an ordinance/policy that must be adopted by town council that allows employees to carry a firearm while on duty;
2. The new ordinance would prohibit only “unlawful possession of a firearm,” but would also require employees carrying guns to respect the requests of private property and business owners;
3. Workers must fill out an application and provide a copy of their concealed weapons permit if they have one. They should also complete annual gun safety classes that also talk about the legal use of deadly force in self-defense; and
4. All applications should be reviewed by the town manager, human resources and the chief of police.

7. Incident Planning
Consider developing a plan to address emergencies that might arise if a problem develops. Consider what would happen if an employee or outsider were to brandish a weapon at work. Worse yet, what will you do if there is an actual shooting?

8. Incident Planning
How will you communicate with employees in an emergency?
Who is responsible for calling police or rescue personnel?
What services does your employee assistance plan offer?
Who will determine and handle any mandatory notifications to OSHA?
Who will be in charge of relations with the media?

9. How To Deal With Volatile Situations Before They Become Violent Situations
4/7/2019

10. “Types” or Classes of WPV
OSHA divides Workplace Violence into three distinct categories.
Determining the correct type of potential or actual Workplace Violence can sharpen the focus of the investigation or prevention effort.

11. Type I Workplace Violence – Stranger Violence
The offender has no legitimate relationship to the workplace or victim and enters the workplace to commit a criminal act (robbery, theft, truck or aircraft hi jacking). Usual victims are late night retail, restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, taxi drivers etc.
60% of all Workplace Violence Homicides are Type I

12. Type II Workplace Violence – Customer/ Client
The person who commits the act of workplace violence is either the recipient or object of service provided by the affected workplace or victim (current or former client, patient, customer, welfare or social service recipient, criminal suspect or prisoner.
30% of all WPV homicides are Type II

13. Type III Workplace Violence – Employee Violence
Term “employee” can include temporaries and sub contractors located within the affected workplace. Also included are domestic violence incidents which “travel” into the workplace. Type III incidents involve and act of WPV by current or former employee, manager or executive.
Incidents may be committed by a current or former lover, spouse, significant other, relative or friend or some other person who has a dispute with an employee in the workplace.
10% of all WPV homicides are Type III

14. Self Assessment
Knowing “Types” of Workplace Violence gives managers and others charged with resource management direction into assessing their own
“Risk & Vulnerability.”

15. 4/7/2019

16. Definition of Workplace Violence
Violent acts, including physical assaults and threats of assault, directed towards persons at work or on duty.

17. Is This Workplace Violence?

18. Who’s Responsible for a “Safe” Workplace ?
While different positions in every organization have different duties and areas of control, according to OSHA and the Department of Agriculture – a safe workplace is:
Everyone's Responsibility

19. Types of Violence Beatings Stabbings Suicides Shootings Near Suicides
Being followed, sworn, or shouted at
Threats or obscene phone calls
Intimidation
Harassment of any nature
Rapes
Psychological traumas

20. Types of Workplace Violence
Violence by
Strangers
Customers or clients
Co-workers
Personal relations

21. Risk Factors Interacting with the Public Exchanging Money
Delivering Services or Goods
Working Late at Night or Early in the Morning
Working Alone
Guarding Valuables or Property

22. Risk Factors (cont.)
Dealing with Violent People or Volatile Situations
Mobile Workplace (taxicab or police cruiser)
Working in High Crime Areas
Working in Community-Based Settings

23. Risk Factors (cont.) Prevalence of Weapons
Increasing Number of Acute and Chronically Mentally Ill Patients Being Released From Hospitals Without Follow-up Care
Availability of Drugs or Money at Healthcare Facilities - Likely Robbery Target

24. Risk Factors (cont.) Highly stressed workforce
“Imminent reorganization”
Chronic labor/management disputes
Excessive number of grievances
Excessive number of workers’ compensation claims
Authoritarian management approach
Lack of policies, procedures

25. Sources of Violence Criminal activity
Customer, client, patient, or persons associated with employee
Co-worker, ex-employee or domestic partner of co-worker

26. Prevention Strategies for Minimizing Risk
Cash Handling Policies
Physical Separation of Workers from Customers
Good Lighting
Security Devices
Escort Services
Employee Training

27. Security Devices Closed-Circuit Cameras Alarms Two-Way Mirrors
Card-Key Access Systems
Panic-bar Doors, Locked from the Outside
Trouble Lights or Alarms - Indicate a Need For Assistance

28. Long-term Issues to Address Violence
Education
Poverty
Environmental Justice

29. Meanwhile…
Develop Policies and Procedures to Track Threats and Assess Threats
Establish a Zero Tolerance Policy of Any Violent Acts
Provide a Method to Report Incidents

30. Recommendations Written Violence Prevention Program
Management commitment and employee involvement
Written program elements

31. Other Recommendations
Worksite Analysis
Analyze past experiences
Investigate incidents
Audit workplace safety and security

32. OSHA Suggests… Training and Education
General awareness for all employees
specialized training for supervisors, security, and high risk employees
Recordkeeping & Program Evaluation
Recordkeeping
Quality assurance strategies

33. Policy Development: Special Issues
Security vs. Open-Door Policies
Pre-Employment Screening or Testing
Employee Understanding of Concealed Weapon Laws
Privacy Issues
domestic relationships
mental status (depression, suicidal, etc.)
Employer’s Duty to Protect Worker

34. Develop Systems for: Documenting Incidents
Procedures to Follow in the Event of an Incident
Open Communication Between Employees and Employers

35. Early Warning Signs Highly stressed individual
Negative and recent change in behavior
Frequent disputes with supervisor
Routine violation of organization’s policies
Increased absenteeism
Obsessive behavior

36. Early Warning Signs (cont.)
Substance abuse
Depression/suicidal
Isolation from others
Emotional outburst out of the ordinary
Verbal threats or threatening body language
*One or two of these do not necessarily indicate early warning of violence*

37. For the Control of Violence
Set up a multi-disciplinary “violence control” team
Perform a needs assessment
Evaluate policy and procedure
Develop emergency plans
Train staff to appropriate level & drill
Set up “early warning” system
Test the system and adjust

38. Anxiety-free Reporting System
Educate employees regarding the need for a system
Have employees tell you what they need to make a system work
Train employees in the details of the system

39. Prevention

40. Prevention Techniques
Remove yourself from violent situations
Always be aware of your surroundings!
As much physical separation as possible
Maintain visibility
Proper lighting
Report outside threats

42. Commitment to safety
4/7/2019

43. The Goal Of This Course Is To Keep Employees Alive
The End
4/7/2019

44. Questions??