Violence in the workplace

Homicide is the second leading cause of death to American workers, accounting for 912 deaths in the American workplace in 1996, 15 percent of all workplace fatalities that year. Annually, almost 1 million people are victims of violent crime at work. Workplace violence accounts for 1.8 million days a year of missed work and more than $55 million annually in lost wages.

The retail industry, where a large number of RWDSU members are employed, has an above-average risk for violence in the workplace, due in part to the possibility of robbery at retail stores. Stock handlers, baggers, sales supervisors and sales clerks are among the top five occupations at risk of violence in the workplace.

Types of Workplace Violence
Workplace violence has many forms, including verbal threats, abusive behavior, physical violence or assault, sexual harassment, rape, robbery and murder. The sources of workplace violence can be customers, robbers and even co-workers.
Even if a worker is never injured on the job, stress and fear that results from violent incidents can lead to serious health problems, like post-traumatic stress.

Prevention: Security and Safety Plans
There are a number of ways employees and employers can work to prevent workplace violence, though workplaces vary and different situations call for different measures. A security and safety plan should be one of the first steps taken. The plan should be developed by members, working with management and security personnel. The committee should develop procedures for responding to a violent incident, setting up a chain of command inside the company for dealing with a violent act which will also determine if authorities outside a company need to be contacted. The plan should have a number of important elements.

* Risk assessment—This includes documenting and evaluating instances of violence and threats, and holding meetings with affected workers.

* Hazard prevention and control methods—Administrative and engineering controls should be taken to eliminate risks of violence.

* Administrative policies—Increasing numbers of staff on duty, not allowing employees to work alone, increasing security, reducing numbers of late night and early morning hours worked, limiting patient or client access to certain areas and informing workers of patients or clients with violent histories are all policies that can make a workplace safer.

* Engineering controls—Increasing lighting, installing alarm, communication, and surveillance systems, placing physical barriers between clients and employees and changing doors to entry only locking systems can help reduce violence.

* Training and education—All workers should be trained about safety and security procedures.

* Post incident counseling- Medical care and professional counseling should be available to victims of workplace violence or workers affected by violent incidents.

* Recordkeeping—All incidents of workplace violence, however minor, should be reported and recorded.

Who is at the Highest Risk?

* People who work alone or in small numbers

* Workers with early morning or late night shifts

* Those that handle money

* New employees

* People who guard valuable property

* People working in high crime areas

* Those who deal with customer or client complaints or people who work with violent patients or clients.