In light of the post-Christmas office shooting in Wakefield, Mass., the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) urges employers to review their workplace violence prevention policies and to conduct a risk assessment in an effort to prevent additional acts of workplace violence. A recent national survey of safety professionals and risk managers assessing the awareness and prevention techniques used to avoid workplace violence found that although the number of incidents in the respondents’ workplaces has stayed the same, employees remain concerned.
In response to those concerns, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), which conducted the survey, produced a white paper outlining several steps employers should take to prevent a violent incident and what can be done following one to help employees cope. According to the white paper, upper management in any organization needs to establish a clear anti-violence corporate policy that must be distributed and discussed with all employees. Legally, employers may be liable for failing to provide adequate on-site safety and security measures after they have been notified of a potential danger. The study also states that human resources managers should examine hiring practices, implement pre-screening techniques and background checks, and encourage employees to report threats or violent behavior. Safety departments should train all employees in the warning signs of aggressive or violent behavior, and train management in threat assessment and de-escalation techniques.
The US Department of Justice reports that deadly workplace incidents are on the rise: 21,300 recent assaults and violent acts resulted in fatalities as well as injuries. They also cost employers an estimated $4.2 billion in 1992 for days missed and legal fees. Harassment is the leading form of workplace violence, according to the white paper, with 16 million workers being harassed each year. Other violent acts can include stalking, threats, inappropriate communication, trespassing, telephone and e-mail harassment, property defacing, invasion of privacy, and confining or restraining victims.
Based on a report from Safety Currents
