What is workplace violence?

1 What is workplace violence ? workplace violence is violence or the threat ofviolence against workers. It can occur at oroutside the workplace and can range fromthreats and verbal abuse to physical assaults andhomicide, one of the leading causes of job-relateddeaths. However it manifests itself, workplaceviolence is a growing concern for employers andemployees is vulnerable?Some 2 million American workers are victimsof workplace violence each year. Workplaceviolence can strike anywhere, and no one isimmune. Some workers, however, are atincreased risk. Among them are workers whoexchange money with the public; deliverpassengers, goods, or services; or work alone orin small groups, during late night or earlymorning hours, in high-crime areas, or incommunity settings and homes where they haveextensive contact with the public.

2 This groupincludes health-care and social service workerssuch as visiting nurses, psychiatric evaluators,and probation officers; community workers suchas gas and water utility employees, phone andcable TV installers, and letter carriers; retailworkers; and taxi can these employers do to helpprotect these employees?The best protection employers can offer is toestablish a zero-tolerance policy towardworkplace violence against or by their employer should establish a workplaceviolence prevention program or incorporate theinformation into an existing accident preventionprogram, employee handbook, or manual ofstandard operating procedures. It is critical toensure that all employees know the policy andunderstand that all claims of workplace violencewill be investigated and remedied addition, employers can offer additionalprotections such as the following: Provide safety education for employees sothey know what conduct is not acceptable,what to do if they witness or are subjectedto workplace violence , and how to protectthemselves.

3 Secure the workplace . Where appropriateto the business, install video surveillance,extra lighting, and alarm systems andminimize access by outsiders throughidentification badges, electronic keys, andguards. Provide drop safes to limit the amount ofcash on hand. Keep a minimal amount ofcash in registers during evenings and late-night hours. Equip field staff with cellular phones andhand-held alarms or noise devices, andrequire them to prepare a daily work planand keep a contact person informed of theirlocation throughout the day. Keep employer-provided vehicles properly maintained. Instruct employees not to enter any locationwhere they feel unsafe. Introduce a buddysystem or provide an escort service orpolice assistance in potentially dangeroussituations or at night.

4 Develop policies and procedures coveringvisits by home health-care providers. Addressthe conduct of home visits, the presence ofothers in the home during visits, and theworker s right to refuse to provide services ina clearly hazardous can the employees protectthemselves?Nothing can guarantee that an employee willnot become a victim of workplace violence . Thesesteps, however, can help reduce the odds: Learn how to recognize, avoid, or diffusepotentially violent situations by attendingpersonal safety training programs. Alert supervisors to any concerns aboutsafety or security and report all incidentsimmediately in writing. Avoid traveling alone into unfamiliar locationsor situations whenever possible. Carry only minimal money and requiredidentification into community should employers do followingan incident of workplace violence ?

5 Encourage employees to report and log allincidents and threats of workplace violence . Provide prompt medical evaluation andtreatment after the incident. Report violent incidents to the local policepromptly. Inform victims of their legal right to prosecuteperpetrators. Discuss the circumstances of the incident withstaff members. Encourage employees toshare information about ways to avoid similarsituations in the future. Offer stress debriefing sessions and post-traumatic counseling services to help workersrecover from a violent incident. Investigate all violent incidents and threats,monitor trends in violent incidents by type orcircumstance, and institute corrective actions. Discuss changes in the program duringregular employee protections does OSHA offer?

6 The Occupational Safety and Health Act s(OSH Act) General Duty Clause requiresemployers to provide a safe and healthfulworkplace for all workers covered by the OSHAct. Employers who do not take reasonable stepsto prevent or abate a recognized violence hazardin the workplace can be cited. Failure toimplement suggestions in this fact sheet, however,is not in itself a violation of the General can you get more information?OSHA has various publications, standards,technical assistance, and compliance tools to helpyou, and offers extensive assistance through itsmany safety and health programs: workplaceconsultation, voluntary protection programs,grants, strategic partnerships, state plans,training, and education. Guidance such asOSHA s Safety and Health ManagementProgram Guidelines identify elements that arecritical to the development of a successful safetyand health management system.

7 This and otherinformation are available on OSHA s website For a free copy of OSHA publications, send aself-addressed mailing label to this address:OSHA Publications Office, Box 37535,Washington, DC 20013-7535; or send arequest to our fax at (202) 693-2498, or callus at (202) 693-1888. To file a complaint by phone, report anemergency, or get OSHA advice, assistance,or products, contact your nearest OSHA office under the Department of Labor listing in your phone book, or call us toll-freeat (800) 321-OSHA (6742). The tele-typewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627. To file a complaint online or obtain moreinformation on OSHA federal and stateprograms, visit OSHA s Department of LaborOccupational Safety and Health Administration2002 This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies, or standards.

8 It does not imposeany new compliance requirements or carry the force of legal opinion. For compliance requirements of OSHA standards orregulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impairedindividuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999. See also OSHA s website at