Violence in the Workplace

Keeping the workplace safe

Section I

Introduction

2

Introduction

• 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

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Section II

Employers and Employees

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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

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Employee involvement

• Employer and employee cooperation– One-on-one– Team approach– Limitations

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Section III

Worksite Analysis

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Worksite analysis

• Risk factors:– Contact with public – Exchange of money – Deliveries – Mobile workplace– Working in high risk

settings

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Worksite analysis

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

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Worksite analysis

• Multiple risk factors• Third parties responsible for work-related

homicides• Robbery primary motive• Reducing robberies should reduce

homicides

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Worksite analysis

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

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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

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Worksite analysis

• Steps include – Review records and past

experiences – Worksite inspection

and analysis – Periodic audits

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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?

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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

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Worksite analysis

• Periodic safety audit: – Review hazards – Evaluate effectiveness – Address changes

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Section IV

Hazard Prevention

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Hazard prevention

• Controls: – Engineering – Administrative – Work practice

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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

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Hazard prevention

• Engineering controls– Improve visibility– Adequate lighting– Fences– Drop safes

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Hazard prevention

• Engineering controls – Video surveillance – Height markers – Door detectors – Controlled access

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Hazard prevention

• Engineering controls – Alarm systems – Metal detectors – Barriers

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Hazard prevention

• Engineering controls – "Safe rooms" – Secure bathrooms – Vehicle maintenance

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Hazard prevention

• Administrative and work practice controls – Daily procedures – Minimal cash – Emergency procedures – Police liaison

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Hazard prevention

• Administrative and work practice controls – Communication – Barriers – Staffing – "Buddy system" – Lock doors

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Hazard prevention

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

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Hazard prevention

• Post-incident: – Medical care – Report to police – Notification authorities – Inform management

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Hazard prevention

• Post-incident: – Secure premises – Incident report – Treatment & counseling

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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

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Evaluation

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

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Evaluation

• Records – Injury and illness – Incident reports – Hazard analyses

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Evaluation

• Records– Recommendations– Actions taken – Meeting notes – Training records

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Section VII

Summary

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Summary of main points

• Defined workplace violence terms• Employer and employee roles• Worksite analysis• Engineering and workplace controls• Training• Evaluation

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Questions?

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