WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION

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WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
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Overview

• OSHA General Duty Clause
• Definition / Types of Workplace Violence
• Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
• Sentinel Events
• Universal Precautions for Violence
• Risk Factors
• Early Recognition
• Standard Response
• Location and Operation of Safety Devices

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DEFINITION OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

• Any physical assault, threatening behavior, or
  verbal abuse occurring in the work setting
• Includes
• Beatings
• Stabbings
• Shootings
• Rapes
• Near-suicides
• Psychological Traumas
• Threats or obscene phone calls
• Intimidation
• Harassment of any nature

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TYPES OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

• Violence by strangers
• Violence by customers or clients
• Violence by co-workers
• Violence by personal relations

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WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION POLICY

• Zero Tolerance
• Workplace Security Measures
• All Weapons Banned
• Inspections
• Reporting Violence
• Training Programs
• Violence Prevention Team

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SENTINEL EVENTS

• Initial counseling and support for employees
• Make every effort to return to normal business
  operations
• Communicate with employees, clients,
  stakeholders, and other who need to know

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UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS FOR VIOLENCE

• Violence should be expected, but can be avoided
  or mitigated through preparation
• Employees are encouraged to limit physical
  interventions in workplace altercations

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RISK FACTORS

• Poor grievance procedures
• Poor employer-employee relations
• Harassment, threats, and intimidation
• High levels of stress

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EARLY RECOGNITION

• Depressed behavior
• Paranoid behavior
• Recent acquisition of a weapon
• Talking about or posting a clipping of a violent
  incident in another workplace

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VIOLENCE OR THREATENING SITUATIONS

• Step 1
• Respond calmly
• Dont take behavior personally
• Ask questions
• Summarize
• Step 2
• Set limits
• Ask individual to stop behavior
• Tell person that he/she will be disciplined

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VIOLENCE OR THREATENING SITUATIONS

• If person seems dangerous
• Do not isolate yourself with this person.
  Maintain a safe distance, do not turn your back
  and stay seated.
• Use a calm, nonconfrontational approach.
• NEVER touch the person.
• Set limits to indicate behavior needed.
• Signal for assistance.
• Do not mention discipline or the police if you
  fear an angry response.
• Try to find a way to excuse yourself and call
  911.

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LOCATION AND OPERATION OF SAFETY DEVICES

• If there appears to be a threat of violence, pick
  up the nearest phone and dial the Page button and
  say
• Page Mr. Green any available person needs to
  report to the location ASAP
• Page Mr. White means to call 911 immediately,
  as a severe threat is present
• Posted on every phone in the building

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ANY QUESTIONS?