Workplace Violence 
Protecting Yourself and Your Employees

At least 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence each year. It can strike anywhere, and no one is immune.

Some workers, however, are at increased risk. Among them are workers who exchange money with the public; deliver passengers, goods, or services; or work alone or in small groups, during late night or early morning hours, in high-crime areas, or in community settings and homes where they have extensive contact with the public. This group includes health-care and social service workers; community workers such as gas and water utility employees, phone and cable TV installers, and letter carriers; retail workers; commercial and contract employees; and taxi drivers.

Workplace violence is violence or the threat of violence against workers. It can occur at or outside the workplace and can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide, one of the leading causes of job-related deaths. However it manifests itself, workplace violence is a growing concern for employers and employees nationwide.

Protect Your Employees

The best protection employers can offer is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence against or by their employees. The employer should also establish a workplace violence prevention program or incorporate the information into an existing accident prevention program, employee handbook or manual of standard operating procedures.

It’s critical to ensure that all employees know the policy and understand that all claims of workplace violence will be investigated and remedied promptly. In addition, employers can offer additional protections such as:

• Provide safety education for employees so they know what conduct is not acceptable, what to do if they witness or are subjected to workplace violence, and how to protect themselves.
• Secure the workplace. When appropriate to the business, install video surveillance, extra lighting and alarm systems, and minimize access by outsiders through identification badges, electronic keys and guards.
• Provide drop safes to limit the amount of cash on hand.
• Keep a minimal amount of cash in registers during evenings and night hours.
• Equip field staff with cellular phones and hand-held alarms or noise devices, and require them to prepare a daily work plan and keep a contact person informed of their location throughout the day. Keep employer-provided vehicles properly maintained.
• Instruct employees not to enter any location where they feel unsafe.

How Can Employees Protect Themselves?

Nothing can guarantee that an employee will not become a victim of workplace violence. These steps, however, can help reduce the odds:

• Learn how to recognize, avoid or diffuse potentially violent situations by attending personal safety training programs.
• Alert supervisors to any concerns about safety or security and report all incidents immediately in writing.
• Avoid traveling alone into unfamiliar locations or situations whenever possible.
• Carry only minimal money and required identification into community settings.

After an Incident

Encourage your employees to report and log all incidents or threats of workplace violence. If an incident of workplace violence does occur, there are several steps employers can take to help employees recover.

• Provide prompt medical evaluation and treatment after the incident.
• Report violent incidents to the local police promptly.
• Inform victims of their legal right to prosecute perpetrators.
• Discuss the circumstances of the incident with staff members. Encourage employees to share information about ways to avoid similar situations in the future.
• Offer stress debriefing sessions and post-traumatic counseling services to help workers recover from a violent incident.
• Investigate all violent incidents and threats, monitor trends in violent incidents by type or circumstance, and institute corrective actions.
• Discuss changes in the program during regular employee meetings.

The General Duty Clause of the occupational Safety and Health OSH act’s  requires employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace for all workers covered by the OSH Act. Employers who do not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate a recognized violence hazard in the workplace can be cited.

OSHA has various publications, standards, technical assistance, and compliance tools to help you, and offers extensive assistance through its many safety and health programs: workplace consultation, voluntary protection programs, grants, strategic partnerships, state plans, training, and education.

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