1. Workplace Violence Prevention-
What Every Employer Should Know
Presented by:
Bob Byrnes, C.S.P.
Risk Manager

2. This program has been approved for 1 General recertification credit hours toward
PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute. To
receive a certificate of completion, please email: marketing@alcottgroup.com
with your request.
© 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

3. About Alcott
 We are a Professional Employer Organization (PEO)
providing outsourced human resource services, support
and administration to small and mid-sized companies
 Over 25 years in business
 Accreditations:
- Employer Services Assurance Corp (ESAC)
- Certification Institute for
Workers’ Compensation Risk Management
 Industry Leadership
- NAPEO/NYSAPEO
- ESAC Board of Directors
3 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

4. What We Will Cover
• What is Workplace Violence?
• Prevention Best Practices
• Incident Response
• OSHA
• OSHA Abatement Methods
• Elements of a Comprehensive Workplace
Violence Program
• Questions
© 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

5. Workplace Violence Prevention
WHAT IS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE?

6. Definition
Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening
behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting.
A workplace may be any location either permanent or
temporary where an employee performs any work-related
duty.
This includes, but is not limited to, the buildings and the
surrounding perimeters, including the parking lots, field
locations, clients’ homes and traveling to and from work
assignments.
6 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

7. Sources of Violence
Sources of Violence Workplace Violence Includes Types of Workplace Violence
• Employees • Beatings Violence by:
• Former Employees • Stabbings • Co-workers
• Customers • Suicides • Customers or Clients
• Other Outsiders • Shootings • Personal Relations
• Criminals • Rapes • Strangers
• Terrorists • Threats/Intimidation
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8. Triggers of Violence
Layoff
Firing
Bad Behavior Warning
Poor Performance Review
Conflict with Co-worker
Customer Interactions
Domestic Violence
Disputes with Ex-partners
Alcohol or Drug Abuse
Emotional
Financial Difficulties
Random Acts of Violence
8 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

9. Statistics on Workplace Violence
• Homicide is the fourth leading cause of death in the workplace
• In 2010 there were 4,547 fatal occupational injuries, 506 were workplace homicide
(11.1%)
• Assaults and threats of violence number almost 2 million a year
• Most common was simple assaults: 1.5 million a year
• Aggravated assaults: 396,000
• Rapes and sexual assaults: 51,000
• Robberies: 84,000
1600000
1400000
1200000
simple assaults
1000000 aggravated assaults
800000 rapes, sexual assaults
600000 robberies
homicides
400000
200000
0
9 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

10. Economic Impact of Workplace Violence
• Cost 500,000 employees 1,175,100 lost work days each year
• Lost wages: $55 million annually
• Lost productivity, legal expenses, property damage,
diminished public image, increased security: $Billions$
10 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

11. Workplace Violence Prevention
BEST PRACTICES

12. Spot the Signs
• Threats to others – Both verbal and physical
• Blaming others
• Talking about violence or weapons
• Holding grudges
• Threatening words or movements
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13. Follow Security Procedures
• Report Strangers
• Escort Visitors
• Wear ID
• Lock Valuables
• Report missing items or signs of break-in
• Use danger signal
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14. Work Safely After Hours
• Let people know
• Avoid being alone
• Stay near phones
• Lock office door
• Let security know when you leave
• Walk out with someone
• Check car before getting in
14 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

15. Workplace Violence Prevention
INCIDENT RESPONSE

16. First Response
• Remain Calm
• Show Respect
• Focus on Problem
• Alert Co-workers
• Report the incident
• Don’t argue or raise voice
• Don’t mimic an angry persons behavior
16 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

17. Post-Incident Response
Provide comprehensive treatment for victimized
employees and employees who may be
traumatized by witnessing a workplace violence
incident
• Trauma crisis counseling
• Critical incident stress debriefing
• Employee assistance programs to assist victims
17 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

18. The Aftermath
• Signs of Distress
– Withdrawn from peers
– Calling in sick
– Overworking
– Difficulty concentrating
– Withdrawal from family, friends
• Ways of Coping
– Talk about it
– Spend time with loved ones
– Turn TV coverage off
– Seek professional help (EAP)
18 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

19. Workplace Violence Prevention
OSHA

20. General Duty Clause:
Section 5 (a)(1)
Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees
employment and a place of employment which are free
from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to
cause death or serious physical harm.
This includes the prevention and control of the hazard
of workplace violence.
OSHA will rely on Section 5 (a)(1) of the OSHAct for
enforcement authority.
20 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

21. OSHA Guidelines
for Workplace Violence Prevention
• Intended for use by employers who are
seeking to provide a safe and healthful
workplace through effective workplace
violence programs
– Not a new standard or regulation
– Advisory in nature and informational in content
21 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

22. OSHA Directive
Directive Number: CPL 02-01-052 (Eff. 9/18/11)
“Enforcement procedures for investigating or inspecting workplace violence”
• Workplace violence is recognized as an occupational hazard in some
industries and environments which, like other safety issues, can be avoided or
minimized if employers and employees take appropriate precautions
• OSHA Identified high-risk industries
– Health Care & Social Service Settings
– Late Night Retail Settings
22 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

23. Workplace Violence Prevention
OSHA ABATEMENT METHODS

24. OSHA Potential Abatement Methods
Management Commitment and Employee
Involvement
Worksite Analysis
Hazard Prevention and Control
Training and Education
Recordkeeping and Evaluation of Program
24 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

25. Management Commitment and
Employee Involvement
• Complementary and essential
• Management commitment provides the
motivating force to deal effectively with
workplace violence
• Employee involvement and feedback enable
workers to develop and express their
commitment to safety and health
25 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

26. Management Commitment and Employee Involvement
Management Commitment
• Organizational concern for employee emotional and physical safety and health
• Equal commitment to worker safety and health
• System of accountability for involved managers and employees
• Create and disseminate a clear policy of zero tolerance for workplace violence
• Ensure no reprisals are taken against employees who report incidents
• Encourage employees to promptly report incidents and suggest ways to reduce
or eliminate risks
• Outline a comprehensive plan for maintaining security in the workplace
• Assign responsibility and authority for program to individuals with appropriate
training and skills
• Affirm management commitment to worker supportive environment
• Setup company briefings as part of the initial effort to address safety issues
26 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

27. Management Commitment and Employee Involvement
Employee Involvement
• Understand and comply with the workplace violence
prevention program and other safety and security
measures
• Participate in employee complaints or suggestion
procedures covering safety and security concerns
• Prompt and an accurate reporting of violent incidents
27 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

28. Worksite Analysis
• Step-by-step look at the workplace, to find existing
or potential hazards for workplace violence
• A “Threat Assessment Team” or similar task force
may assess the vulnerability to workplace violence
and determine appropriate actions
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29. Worksite Analysis
Recommended Program
• Analyzing and tracking records
• Monitoring trends and analyzing incidents
• Screening surveys
• Analyzing workplace security
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30. Hazard Prevention and Control
• Engineering controls and workplace adaptation
• Administrative and work practice controls
• Post incident response
30 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

31. Hazard Prevention and Control
Engineering Controls
• Alarm systems and other security devices
• Metal detectors
• Closed-circuit video recording for high-risk areas
• Safe rooms for use during emergencies
31 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

32. Hazard Prevention and Control
Administrative & Work Practice Controls
• State clearly to employees that violence will not be
tolerated or permitted
• Establish liaison with local police and state prosecutors
• Require employees to report all assaults and threats
• Setup trained response teams to respond to emergencies
32 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

33. Training and Education
• Ensure that all staff are aware of potential security hazards & ways of protecting
themselves
• Employees should understand concept of “Universal Precautions for Violence”, ie., that
violence should be expected but can be avoided or mitigated through preparation
• Employees should be instructed to limit physical interventions in workplace altercations
unless designated emergency response team or security personnel are available
• Training program should involve all employees, including supervisors and managers
• Workplace violence prevention policy
• Risk factors that cause or contribute to assaults
• Early recognition of escalating behavior or warning signs
• Ways to prevent volatile situations
• Standard response action plan for violent situations
• Location and operation of safety devices
33 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

34. Recordkeeping and Evaluation
Recordkeeping and evaluation of the violence
prevention program are necessary to determine
overall effectiveness and identity deficiencies or
changes that should be made
34 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

35. Recordkeeping and Evaluation
Recordkeeping
• OSHA Log of Injury and Illness (OSHA 300)
• Medical reports of work injuries assaults
• Incidents of abuse, verbal attacks or aggressive behavior
• Minutes of safety meetings, records of hazard analyses
and corrective actions
• Records of all training programs
35 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

36. Recordkeeping and Evaluation
Evaluation
• Establish uniform violence reporting system and regular review
of reports
• Review reports of minutes from staff meetings on safety issues
• Analyze trends and rates in illness/injury or fatalities caused by
violence
• Measure improvements based on lowering frequency and
severity of workplace violence
36 © 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

37. Workplace Violence Prevention
ELEMENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROGRAM

38. Workplace Violence Program
• Develop a written, comprehensive workplace violence
prevention program, which should include:
o Policy statement regarding potential violence in the workplace,
assignment of oversight and prevention responsibilities.
o Workplace violence hazard assessment and security analysis. A list of the
risk factors identified in the assessment and how the employer will
address the specific hazards identified.
o Development of workplace violence controls including the
implementation of engineering and administrative controls and methods
to prevent potential workplace violence incidents.
o Recordkeeping system designed to report any violent incidents. Reports
must be in writing and maintained for review after each incident.
o Analyze incident trends at least annually.
© 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

39. Workplace Violence Program (cont)
o Development of a workplace violence training program.
o Annual review of the workplace violence prevention program. Identify any
mitigating steps taken in response to any workplace violence incidents.
o Development of procedures and responsibilities to be taken in the event of
a violent incident in the workplace.
o Development of a response team responsible for:
o Immediate care of victims.
o Re-establishment of work areas and processes .
o Providing debriefing sessions with victims and co-workers.
o Contact Employee Assistance Programs, Human Resource Professionals
and local mental health and emergency service personnel for input in
developing these strategies.
© 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

40. Sources of Assistance
• OSHA Consultation Program
• OSHA website @ www.osha.gov
• NIOSH
• Public Safety Officials
• Trade Associations
• Unions and Insurers
• Human Resources and Employee Assistance Professionals
© 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC

41. If you would like a copy of this presentation or further information about Alcott HR
Group, please call 1-888-4ALCOTT or email: marketing@alcottgroup.com
© 2012 Alcott HR Group LLC