According to OSHA, 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence each year. That is a pretty scary statistic if you ask me. As employers, what do you do to protect your employees? OSHA Fact Sheet states the best protection employers can offer is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence against or by their employees. The employer should establish a workplace violence prevention program or incorporate the information into an existing accident prevention program, employee handbook, or manual of standard operating procedures. It is critical to ensure that all employees know the policy and understand that all claims of workplace violence will be investigated and remedied promptly. In addition, employers can offer additional protections such as the following:
- Provide safety education for employees so they know what conduct is not acceptable, what to do if they witness or are subjected to workplace violence, and how to protect themselves.
- Secure the workplace. Where appropriate to the business, install video surveillance, extra lighting, and alarm systems to minimize access by outsiders through identification badges, electronic keys, and guards.
- Provide drop safes to limit the amount of cash on hand. Keep a minimal amount of cash in registers during evening and late-night hours.
- Equip field staff with cellular phones and hand-held alarms or noise devices, and require them to prepare a daily work plan and keep a contact person informed of their location throughout the day. Keep employer-provided vehicles properly maintained.
- Instruct employees not to enter any location where they feel unsafe. Introduce a “buddy system” or provide and escort service or police assistance in potentially dangerous situations or at night.
- Develop policies and procedures covering visits by home health-care providers. Address the conduct of home visits, the presence of others in the home during visits, and the worker’s right to refuse to provide services in a clearly hazardous situation.
For more tips from OSHA click here.
On October 1, 2011 new standards went into effect in Connecticut that requires health care employers with 50 or more full or part-time employees to create workplace safety committees to help prevent violence. For the purpose of this Act, “health care employer’ is any institution, as listed by the Act or defined in section 19a-490 of the Connecticut General Statutes, including hospitals, residential care homes, nursing homes, rest homes, home health care agencies, homemaker-home health agencies, assisted living services agencies, facilities for the care or treatment of mentally ill persons or persons with substance abuse issues, residential facilities for persons with intellectual disabilities and community health centers. Litchfield Insurance Group will be hosting an informative webinar in early March, addressing key requirements for forming your committee and keeping your employees safe. Final details of this event will be posted soon.
