Workplace Violence Outline

Violence At Work Persuasive Essay
I. What is workplace violence?
A. Workplace violence is violence or the threat of violence against workers.
1. Workplace violence is a growing concern for employers and employees nationwide.
a. It can occur at or outside the workplace
b. It can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide.
II. According to the California branch of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration there are three types of workplace violence:
A. Type I: a stranger committing a crime against the business.
1. The most common cause of workplace homicide.
B. Type II: Committed on an employee by a client, customer, patient, or inmate.
1. Most Type II violence involves nonfatal assaults or verbal
threats.
C. Type III: Employee-on-employee violence.
1. Most-common source of threats and assaults.
III. Workplace violence rates in the United States
A. The magnitude of workplace violence in the United States is measured with fatal and nonfatal statistics from several sources
1. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI)
a. CFOI reported 13,827 workplace homicide victims between 1992 and 2010.
i.
Averaging over 700 homicides per year, ii. The largest number of homicides in one year being 1,080 in 1994, while the lowest number was 518 in 2010.
b. From 2003 to 2010 over half of the workplace homicides occurred within three occupation classifications:
i. 28% in sales and related occupations ii. 17% in protective service occupations iii. 13% in transportation and material moving occupations
2. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII)
a. SOII reported an estimated 130,920 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work during the 2003 to 2010 time period.
i. The Healthcare and Social Assistance Industry accounted for 63% of these injuries and illnesses each year

3. The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
a. NCVS reported an estimated number of nonfatal violent crimes occurring against persons 16 or older while they were at work in 2009 at 572,000.
i. This accounted about 24% of nonfatal violence against employed persons age16 or older. ii. Nonfatal violence in the workplace is 15 % of all nonfatal violence against persons age16 or older.
IV. How to protect
employees?
A. The best protection employers can offer is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence against or by their employees
1.
Secure the workplace.
a. Install video surveillance, extra lighting, and alarm systems and minimize access by outsiders through identification badges, electronic keys, and guards.
b. Keep a minimal amount of cash in registers during evenings and late- night hours.
c. 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.
B. The employer should establish a workplace violence prevention program or incorporate the information into an existing employee handbook, or manual of standard operating procedures.
1. 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.
V. How can employees protect themselves?
A. Nothing can guarantee that an employee will not become a victim of workplace violence. But with a few precautions they can reduce the odds.
1. Learn how to recognize, avoid, or diffuse potentially violent situations by attending personal safety training programs.
2. Alert supervisors to any concerns about safety or security and report all incidents immediately in
writing.
3. Avoid traveling alone into unfamiliar locations or situations whenever possible.
4. Carry only minimal money and required identification into community settings.
VI. OHSA
A. The Occupational Safety and Health Act’s General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace for all workers covered by the OSH Act.
1. For a free copy of OSHA publications, send a self-addressed mailing label to this address: OSHA Publications Office, P.O. Box 37535, Washington, DC 20013-7535; or send a request to our fax at [phone], or call us at [phone].
2. To file a complaint by phone, report an emergency, or get OSHA advice, assistance, or products, contact your nearest OSHA office under the “U.S. Department of Labor” listing in your phone book, or call us toll-free at (800) 321-OSHA (6742). The tele- typewriter (TTY) number is [phone].
3. To file a complaint online or obtain more information on OSHA federal and state programs, visit OSHA’s website.