1 Violence in the Workplace Coversheet - …

1 WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING All Euramax Subsidiaries Violence IN THE Workplace Safety Meeting Contents Meeting Notice Leaders Guide Employee Handout Employee Quiz Meeting Sign-In Sheet Employee Puzzle PRIOR TO THE WEEKLY MEETING: - Post the meeting notice by the timeclock - Read through the Leaders Guide and Employee Handout to familiarize yourself with the topic for the week - Make copies of the employee handout (one for each employee) - Make copies of the employee quiz (one for each employee) - Make copies of the weekly puzzle (one for each employee) AT THE SAFETY MEETING: - Pass around the meeting sign-in sheet ensure all employees present at the meeting print and sign their names - Pass out the employee hand-out - Pass out the employee quiz - Pass out the weekly puzzle - Keep the meeting simple - Encourage discussion and questions WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING NOTICE THIS WEEK, OUR SAFETY MEETING WILL COVER Violence IN THE Workplace TIME: _____ DATE: _____ PLACE.

2 _____ WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING All Euramax Subsidiaries Leaders Guide Page 1 Violence IN THE Workplace EURAMAX PROCEDURE REFERENCE: None MEETING OBJECTIVE: According to studies, as many as 1 million Americans each year are the victims of nonfatal work-related assaults. Homicide is the third-leading cause of work-related death. While the highest percentage of Workplace assaults are in the service, healthcare, and retail industries, incidents of Violence occur in all industries regardless of race, age, or gender. MEETING PREPARATION: Review the employee handout to see if there are any other materials you wish to bring to the meeting.

3 Use a flip chart during the discussion to write key points and employee responses. This technique visually reinforces your instruction. MATERIALS CHECKLIST: Flip chart and marking pens MEETING INTRODUCTION Violent behavior can erupt anywhere. Violence in the Workplace is a serious problem, and it covers a broad range of situations, including: robberies, assaults, attacks, fights between co-workers or revenge attacks by former or current employees, and assaults by strangers that are not related to any particular type of work. DISCUSSION GUIDE Question: What type of common sense should be used regarding Violence in the Workplace ?

4 Answer: Don t leave handbags or other valuables open or unguarded. Don t go alone into dark or isolated areas. Be alert for unfamiliar persons in areas where they don t belong. WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING All Euramax Subsidiaries Leaders Guide Page 2 Violence IN THE Workplace Question: What are some potential warning signs that all employees need to be alert about? Answer: Take suspicious or threatening behavior seriously. Be alert to such warning signs as significant changes in mood or demeanor, extremely angry reactions to minor problems, and verbal abuse or threats. This can be a tricky area: While you don t want to encourage involvement in others personal problems, you do want to make sure that signs of potential Violence are not ignored until it s too late.

5 Urge employees with serous, well-founded concerns about the behavior of a co-worker to have a confidential discussion with a supervisor. Question: What is the best defense against Violence prevention? Answer: Stay out of conflicts between co-workers or customers. Call the proper authorities if the conflict appears to be increasing. Keep calm if you are verbally or physically attached. Acts of aggression including swearing, hitting, name calling, and sexual harassment can sometimes escalate into Violence . Know how to call for help quickly. Keep emergency numbers and the Workplace address posted by every telephone.

6 During a stressful situation, you may be too rattled to remember addresses and directions. Learn techniques to avoid conflicts. Encourage co-workers to learn with you. Question: What are some signs of a potentially violent co-worker? Answer: In any Workplace , it s a good idea to know the danger signs of a potentially violent co-worker. This person might: Use intimidation Display a violent outburst, seemingly out of character Talk about weapons Show paranoia Exhibit desperation Have a history of Violence Be a loner without a social life WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING All Euramax Subsidiaries Leaders Guide Page 3 Violence IN THE Workplace Being concerned about security on the job is not the sign of a coward.

7 Alert, responsible employees who report incidents and observations can often avert Workplace Violence . Question: What are some excuses why you don t want to report an incident or potential Violence ? Answer: So why would you hesitate to report an incident or potential Violence ? You don t want to get someone else in trouble. You do not trust your own judgment. What if you are wrong? You are afraid of being blamed for the incident. You are afraid of being harassed for causing trouble. You think you won t be taken seriously. You believe violent encounters with clients, customers, patients or co-workers are just a normal part of your job.

8 All of these are unacceptable reasons not to report an incident or potential Violence . SUMMARY: Be alert and be aware about the potential of Violence at the Workplace . Homicide is a leading cause of occupational-injury deaths in the United States, after motor vehicle and machine-related accidents. According to a recent study, 9,900 people died as a result of work-related injuries. An astonishing 13% were homicide victims. That translates into approximately 1,300 employees who were murdered at work. Another interesting fact from the study indicates the peak time for on-the-job homicides was from 4 to midnight. Gunshot wounds were the major cause of the homicides.

9 The killers included customers, patients, inmates, co-workers, spouses, and robbers. EMPLOYEE HANDOUT: A. Employee Handout B. Violence in the Workplace Quiz C. Violence in the Workplace Puzzle QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. A 2. B 3. True 4. B WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING All Euramax Subsidiaries Leaders Guide Page 4 Violence IN THE Workplace 5. True 6. False 7. True 8. False 9. False 10. True 11. False 12. True PUZZLE ANSWERS: WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING All Euramax Subsidiaries Violence IN THE Workplace Employee Handout How This Affects You: Workplace Violence can happen to anyone, even you. While certain occupations put a person at a much higher risk - driving a taxi, or working on the late shift for instance - Violence can occur in any setting.

10 Here are some reminders about interpersonal safety at work: Don't pick fights. Loud and aggressive arguments can easily escalate into physical fights. Take verbal threats seriously. Do not aggravate the situation with a threatening response. Report all threats to your supervisor or the company's security department. Report any suspicious person or vehicle to security personnel, especially at night. The suspect could be casing the place for a break-in. Or the person could be stalking an ex-spouse who works with you. Also watch for unauthorized visitors who appear to have legitimate business at your plant. Crimes have been committed by people posing as employees, contractors and repair persons.