Stemming Workplace Violence
Mitigating Workplace Violence
10/06/2012
Prepared by Jose A. Ortiz Jr. (CSS, CPS, PIS)
KHTMS Security Consultant
Jose.Ortiz@KHTMS.com
As a licensed security consultant I feel it necessary to bring to the attention of the powers that be, a growing trend of Workplace Violence (WPV). By being proactive on our behalf, and as a means to prevent such incidents from occurring, I offer some suggestions. Based on publications and suggestions from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Occupational, Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, lectures from Gavin de Becker & Associates, The Center for Aggression Management, and presentations from Bob Duggan and others at Executive Security International, I feel it necessary to increase the security posture of any at risk organization with simple measures easily enacted to create a safer work environment.
As incidents of workplace violence continue to gain more and more media attention, and given the litigious society in which we live, I feel any organization with a large number of employees is vulnerable to such an event. This vulnerability comes from disenchanted employees within the organization, criminal elements of society in search of personal gain, terrorists and terror organizations which may identify the organization as a soft target to further their agendas, as well as spill over from an employee’s personal life. I believe a joint effort is necessary which should include; internal and contracted security personnel, the employees and management of an organization, and the various law enforcement and safety oriented organizations which are responsible for overseeing any workplace in question. First of all, I feel it is paramount for employees to take an active part in their own personal safety as well as those around them. Although some feel an incident of workplace violence would never happen in their workplace, plans still need to be in
10/06/2012
Prepared by Jose A. Ortiz Jr. (CSS, CPS, PIS)
KHTMS Security Consultant
Jose.Ortiz@KHTMS.com
As a licensed security consultant I feel it necessary to bring to the attention of the powers that be, a growing trend of Workplace Violence (WPV). By being proactive on our behalf, and as a means to prevent such incidents from occurring, I offer some suggestions. Based on publications and suggestions from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Occupational, Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, lectures from Gavin de Becker & Associates, The Center for Aggression Management, and presentations from Bob Duggan and others at Executive Security International, I feel it necessary to increase the security posture of any at risk organization with simple measures easily enacted to create a safer work environment.
As incidents of workplace violence continue to gain more and more media attention, and given the litigious society in which we live, I feel any organization with a large number of employees is vulnerable to such an event. This vulnerability comes from disenchanted employees within the organization, criminal elements of society in search of personal gain, terrorists and terror organizations which may identify the organization as a soft target to further their agendas, as well as spill over from an employee’s personal life. I believe a joint effort is necessary which should include; internal and contracted security personnel, the employees and management of an organization, and the various law enforcement and safety oriented organizations which are responsible for overseeing any workplace in question. First of all, I feel it is paramount for employees to take an active part in their own personal safety as well as those around them. Although some feel an incident of workplace violence would never happen in their workplace, plans still need to be in
References: [1] Blosser, F. (1996) NIOSH Report Addresses problem of workplace violence, violence, suggests strategies for preventing risk. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/violpr.html [2] Rose, J. (2012), Various Workplace Violence presentations at Executive Security International. Colorado: ESI-Lifeforce. [3] UVA Emergency Response Plan. Appendix F [4] Workplace Violence, Critical Incident Response Group for the Analysis of Violent Crime. FBI Academy, Quantico VA. (public domain)