/ Workplace Violence
Overview | 1

Workplace Violence
Overview

Workplace Violence—Overview

Workplace violence has emerged as a critical safety and health hazard affecting all employers. While workplace violence was once confined to a few specific industries, it now affects all businesses of every size and type. Recent workplace violence studies have shown:

  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reported 14,770 workplace homicide victims between 1992 and 2012.
  • The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) estimated the number of nonfatal violent crimes occurring against persons 16 or older while they were at work in 2009 at 572,000.
  • The Consumer Product Safety Commissions’ National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) estimated more than 137,000 workers were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal assaults in 2009.
  • Workplace violence is the leading cause of occupational death for women and the third leading cause of occupational death for all workers.
  • Workplace violence claims more live each year than AIDS and drunk driving combined.

All workplaces are at risk from violence of one type or another. Some workplaces, especially service organizations, are at greater risk than others.

What is Workplace Violence?

While in extreme cases workplace violence may involve homicide, more common acts of workplace violence include such things as:

  • Insubordination
  • Threats and verbal intimidation
  • Harassment
  • Sexual assault and rape
  • Stalking
  • Theft
  • Fights, beatings, and stabbings
  • Vandalism and arson
  • Hostage taking

Workplace violence affects not only the victims. It also causes problems in co-workers, leading to increased absenteeism, injury, illness and turnover.

Employers should perform a “threat assessment” of the workplace to identify potential threats and devise ideas for controlling or eliminating workplace violence.

Plans for dealing with workplace violence should be in writing as part of the company Emergency Action Plans.

Employee Training

There are no specific training requirements for workplace violence. Since problems with workplace violence might be cited under the General Duty clause, training your employees how to handle workplace violence would create a safer workplace.

Training Tips

  • Using the employee handout, review with the employees, information on workplace violence.
  • Explain the types of violence employees might experience, and how workplace violence affects the victims, co-workers and the company.
  • Using the company violence prevention plan, review with employees the specific violence prevention procedures for your facility.
  • Explain to employees the steps to be taken to alert appropriate authorities and company management in cases of workplace violence.

For more information see:

OSHA 3148-1996 Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Service Workers

OSHA Training Materials for Workplace Violence for Late Night Retail Establishments

CDC Violence Prevention

Your Company Violence Prevention Plan

Workplace Violence—Overview Handout

/ Workplace Violence
Overview | 1

Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers and visitors. Homicide is currently the fourth-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), of the 4,547 fatal workplace injuries that occurred in the United States in 2010, 506 were workplace homicides. Homicide is the leading cause of death for women in the workplace. However it manifests itself, workplace violence is a major concern for employers and employees nationwide.

5 WARNING SIGNS OF ESCALATING BEHAVIOR
Confusion
Frustration
Blame
Anger
Hostility

What is Workplace Violence?

Common acts of workplace violence may include:

  • Insubordination
  • Verbal intimidation
  • Threats
  • Harassment
  • Sexual assaults and rape
  • Stalking
  • Theft
  • Fist fights and beatings
  • Stabbings and shootings
  • Suicides
  • Vandalism and arson
  • Hostage-taking

Workplace violence affects not only the victims, but co-workers and the company as well. It is important that employees work with the company to limit or eliminate workplace violence through work practice controls.

One of the best protections employers can offer their workers is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence. This policy should cover all workers, patients, clients, visitors, contractors, and anyone else who may come in contact with company personnel.

By assessing worksites, employers can identify methods for reducing the likelihood of incidents occurring. A well written and implemented Workplace Violence Prevention Program, combined with engineering controls, administrative controls and training can reduce the incidence of workplace violence in both the private sector and Federal workplaces.

Your employer will review the company’s workplace violence prevention plans and workplace practice controls with you.

/ Workplace Violence
Overview | 1

Workplace Violence—Overview Sign–Off Sheet

The employees of ______Company Name______, have taken part in a training session Workplace Violence—Overview. The session covered:

  • Explanation of workplace violence.
  • Types of workplace violence that could occur in the facility.
  • How to report instances of workplace violence.

Date of Training: / Facility:
Employee Signature / PRINT NAME

______

Supervisor’s Signature