Workplace ViolenceOSHA’s Perspective

• Nearly 2 million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence each year

– many events go unreported!

• Workplace violence has remained among the top fourcauses of death at work for the last 15 years

• Average of 590 workplace homicides a year from 2000 through 2009

• FBI estimates cost American workforce $36 Billion per year – (2011)

Why Workplace Violence Prevention Matters

Massachusetts Fatal Injuries at Work 2012

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/occupational-health/alert/2012.pdf

Proposed Massachusetts Legislation

Bill Details 188th (2013 - 2014)

An Act requiring health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace

violence• Senate, No. 1187

• Senate, No. 2130 Amended

• May 2014 -Referred to Senate Ways & Means

• January 2015 - No further action taken

OSHA Enforcement

General Duty ClauseSection 5 (a)(1) of OSH Act

• Employers must provide a place of employment that is free of recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to

employees

PURPOSE

Compliance Directive applies:

• When workplace violence is identified as a hazard while conducting an inspection under a national, regional or local emphasis program

• When responding to incidents of workplace violence

• When conducting inspections at worksites in industries with a high incidence of workplace violence

HIGH RISK INDUSTRIES

• Healthcare• Incorporated into NEP for Nursing Homes

• Social Services• Late Night Retail Settings

DEFINITION

Workplace violence is defined as:

Violent acts (including physical assaults and threats of assaults) directed

toward persons at work or on duty

TYPES OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Classifications of workplace violence describe the relationship between the perpetrator and the

target of workplace violence:

Type 1—Criminal IntentType 2—Customer/Client/Resident/Patient/StudentType 3—Co-workerType 4—Personal (aka domestic)

TYPES OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Type 1—Criminal Intent

Violent acts by people who enter the workplace to commit a robbery or other crime—or current or former employees who enter the workplace with the intent to commit a crime

CRIMINAL INTENT

• The slaying of Richel Nova of Hyde Park was "chilling in its callousness and violence," Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said in a statement. Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said the suspects were "vicious thugs" who had shown Nova no mercy. Pizza delivery man lured to vacant address for robbery

• Sept 2010

TYPES OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Type 2—Customer/Client/Resident/PatientViolence directed at employees by customers, clients,

residents, patients, students or any others to whom the employer provides a service

BOSTON (AP) — A 30-year-old Boston man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the Jan 20, 2011 fatal

stabbing of Stephanie Moulton at the Revere group home where he lived.

A jury convicted Deshawn James Chappell of first-degree murder.

TYPES OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Type 3—Co-workerViolence against co-workers, supervisors, or managers

by a current or former employee, supervisor, or manager

TYPES OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Type 4—PersonalViolence in the workplace by someone who does not work there, but who is known to, or has a personal relationship with, an employee (including family members)

VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM

• Management Commitment and Employee Involvement

• Worksite Analysis• Hazard Prevention and Control• Safety and Health Training• Record-keeping and program evaluation• Monitoring and improvement

WORKSITE ANALYSIS

• Analyzing and tracking records• Screening/Perception surveys• Analyzing workplace security

HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Engineering Controls

• Plans for new construction• Alarm systems• Metal detectors• Closed circuit video• Curved mirrors• Comfortable client waiting

rooms• Arrangement of furniture• Secure bathrooms• Effective lighting

Administrative Controls

• Policy of zero tolerance• Reporting requirements• Cooperation with local law

enforcement• Detailed documentation on

incidents• Training of staff• Sign in procedures• Restriction of visitors• Use of “buddy system”

HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROLENGINEERING CONTROLS

Panic ButtonsHeight Marker 

on Exit DoorVideo Surveillance Equipment

HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL ADMIN & WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS

Lock delivery doors or rear doors

SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING

• Involve all employees• Workplace violence prevention policy• Early recognition signs• Diffusion/de-escalation methods • Location and operation of safety devices• Procedures of reporting and record-keeping• Diversity training• Procedures for obtaining medical care

WRITTEN POLICY STATEMENT

• All employees are responsible• Employees are obligated to act appropriately • Cover acts of physical violence, and also harassment,

intimidation, and other disruptive behavior• Cover incidents involving coworkers and incidents involving

individuals from outside the company • Respond appropriately to all reported incidents• Act to stop inappropriate behavior

Zero-tolerance Policy!

WRITTEN POLICY STATEMENT

Be clear on behaviors that constitute workplace violence, including prohibited actions and consequencesExamples of prohibited behaviors: •Direct threats or physical intimidation•Implications or suggestions of violence•Stalking•Possession of weapons of any kind (some legal issues)•Assault of any form•Loud, disruptive, or angry behavior or language that is not part of the typical work environment•Encompasses electronic communications/social media

OSHA’S RESPONSE EFFORTS AND OUTREACH

Guidance and recommendations on workplace violence prevention for healthcare settings (Pub # 3148-01R 2004)

WHEN DOES OSHA INSPECT?

An inspection shall be considered where

there is a:ComplaintReferralFatalityCatastrophic eventProgrammed

Inspection

WHEN DOES OSHA INSPECT?

Considerations for Opening an Inspection: Inspections will be conducted in response to complaints, referrals,fatalities and where reasonable grounds exist

ADDITIONAL HELP

• WWW.OSHA.GOV• Local OSHA Office• NIOSH• Lots of information available on web

HTTP://WWW.CDC.GOV/NIOSH/TOPICS/VIOLENCE/TRAINING_NURSES.HTML

OSHA.GOV

OSHA.GOV

ADDITIONAL HELP

• WWW.OSHA.GOV• Local OSHA Office• NIOSH