Workplace violence prevention should be the sober goal of every company. Hear how to keep workers safe from the public, clients and each other.
With April designated National Workplace Violence Prevention month, it’s a good time to review precautions needed for every company.
Creating a zero-tolerance policy is just one of the six important steps Dan Clark says a business should initiate to stem workplace violence. Safety education, a secure workplace and equipping the staff are also discussed.
Dan also urges incident reporting: If you see something, say something.
TRANSCRIPT:
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intro music and effects
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Dan Clark: Workplace violence. It’s bullying, turbocharged. And it has to be stopped.
Hi, I’m Dan Clark of The Safety Brief, tackling health and safety hazards in today’s demanding industrial and construction worksites, a service of Creative Safety Supply.
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April is National Workplace Violence Prevention month. During 2013 in the United States, workers reported 25,000 assault injuries. At work.
Most of these were in healthcare and social services. OSHA just updated workplace violence guidelines for those workers, but industrial and construction workers are victims too.
What is workplace violence? NIOSH, The National Institute For Occupational Safety And Health, says “Violent acts, including physical assaults and threats of assaults, directed toward persons at work or on duty.”
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For every workplace, a written violence prevention program is a good idea. The program should include these 6 Effective Ways To Reduce Workplace Violence.
1. CREATE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY. State exactly the consequences of committing violent acts or making threats. Spread that phrase: If you see something, say something. Encourage reporting of all violent incidents and give a confidential process for workers to report them.
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2. PROVIDE SAFETY EDUCATION. Employees should know what conduct is unacceptable. They should be told what to do if they see, hear, or are subjected to workplace violence. And they should be offered instruction on how to protect themselves.
3. SECURE THE WORKPLACE. Tools include video surveillance, extra lighting and alarm systems. If it’s appropriate for the situation, reduce access by outsiders with ID badges, electronic keys and guards.
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4. EQUIP THE FIELD STAFF. Employees working outside or traveling should have cell phones. In many situations, handheld alarms, whistles and other noise generators should be provided. People should be required to check in with a contact person on a regular schedule. Company-provided vehicles should be well-maintained.
5. SECURE CASH ON HAND. Now, not every industrial site has a wholesale or retail element, but many do. If money changes hands in the facility, install drop safes to limit the amount of tempting tender.
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6. DON’T TAKE RISKS. Employees should not enter any location where they feel unsafe. Buddy systems are often appropriate and, in certain situations, private security or police escorts may be necessary.
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That’s all for this episode of 6 Effective Ways To Reduce Workplace Violence, and remember: If you see something, say something. Come back for more ways to stay safety compliant in today’s ever-changing landscape of safety requirements. I’m Dan Clark of The Safety Brief, a service of Creative Safety Supply. Save 10% off your entire order at creativesafetysupply.com with coupon code Big10.
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More info from OSHA: here
warehouse image: OSHA/Enrique Rodriguez; people pictograms: Pixabay OpenClips; Pixabay Nemo
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