Workplace Violence Prevention is an important component for every workplace. And while it can be difficult to know when workplace violence incidents will occur, there are some things employers can do to be prepared, if an incident should occur. Workplace Violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in a work setting including but not limited to:
- Aggravated assault or attempted assault
- sexual assault
- product tampering
- sabotage
- homicide or attempted homicide
- suicide or attempted suicide
- includes acts committed during robberies
- Harassment of any nature
Harassment can be defined as abusive offensive language, gestures, or other discourteous conduct towards supervisors, fellow employees, patients, family members or the public as well as verbal threats to inflict bodily harm, including vague or covert threats.
Each year, more people die from workplace violence than from fires, falls or exposures to hazardous materials. In fact, homicide is one of the leading causes of death in the workplace; in 2019 alone, there were 454 homicides in America’s workplaces.
Workplace violence prevention is so important and can have an impact on employee morale as workers may feel stress, fear, or the desire to withdraw. There is also an economic impact. It is believed that workplace violence costs billions in lost productivity, legal expenses, property damage, increased security, and employee wages.
High-risk categories include any workers who are exposed to the following:
- Working with people under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Working with people who have a history of violence
- Working with people diagnosed as psychotic and other mental health diagnoses
- Working alone or in understaffed conditions
- Working in places with overcrowded waiting rooms or excessive wait times.
- Inadequate security and/or poorly lit parking areas
Violent acts can be performed by virtually anyone – employees, former employees, contractors, customers, vendors, and even random members of the public. Make sure employees are aware of their surroundings and inform them of possible risk signals. Risk signals can include:
- Verbally expressed anger or frustration
- Body language/threatening gestures
- Signs of alcohol or drug use
- Presence of a weapon (firearm, knife, etc.)
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is considered a form of workplace violence and should not be tolerated. It can include any of the following:
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Requests for sexual favors
- Verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature connected to decisions about employment
- An intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment
Sexual harassment can occur between any individual, regardless of their sex or gender. It can occur whenever and wherever employees are fulfilling their work responsibilities including in the office, in the field, at any employer-sponsored event, trainings or conferences, or office parties. It can also occur during non-working hours such as at a hotel while traveling. Employees can be the target of harassment through texts, email, calls and/or social media.
Workers are protected by law against retaliation. Protected activities include:
- Making a complaint about harassment or suspected harassment
- Providing information during an investigation
- Testifying in connection with a complaint
- Assisting another employee who is complaining of harassment
Violence prevention
Employers can help promote workplace violence prevention in their workplace by developing a comprehensive prevention program. This should include components like management commitment, employee participation, hazard identification, training and accurate and timely reporting.
Train workers to know how to act and react. Prevention training should include the following:
- Techniques to de-escalate/minimize violent behavior
- Prohibited actions and consequences
- Reporting requirements/procedures
- Location and operation of any safety devices
- Resources to cope with post-incidents
Just like any other hazard, determine engineering controls that can be implemented. Maybe some of the following can be implemented at your workplace.
- Emergency alarms
- Signaling and monitoring systems
- Security devices (metal detectors, cameras)
- Better lighting
- Bulletproof/shatterproof glass enclosures at reception areas
Administrative controls and work practices:
- Creating a “buddy system”
- Providing security escorts to parking lots
- Preventing personnel from working alone
- Restricting movement of public using controlled access cards
- Training in hazard awareness, resolving conflicts, recognizing potential signs
- Make counseling available to reduce worker’s fear
- Having open communication with workers
When dealing with an overly aggressive person:
- Present a calm, caring attitude
- Don’t match the threat
- Don’t give orders
- Acknowledge what the person feels
- Avoid aggressive behavior
Other preventative actions:
- Evaluate each situation
- Be vigilant, alert and aware of surroundings
- Do not isolate yourself
- Always keep an open path for exiting
OSHA’s General Duty Clause, which applies to workplace violence, says that “Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees, a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.”
Employers are required to have a written workplace violence policy and communicate it to all employees as well as establish an effective Emergency Action Plan. If you need to implement a workplace violence program, JJ Safety can help. We can also help implement workplace violence training with our DIY in-house training kit, or our LMS online training platform.
Call 866-627-3850 or email us at sales@jjsafetyllc.com to learn more.