Workplace violence has been occurring over the recent years, serious injuries and deaths have been risen dangerously. Remember the August 26 shooting on live TV, two journalists was shot down by their former co-worker. It is said that active shooting incidents have increased over the years, from 2000 to 2006 it averaged from 6.4 annually, and rose up to 16.4 average annually from 2007 to 2013.
Threats and bodily harm to co-workers falls in the definition of workplace violence. More definition includes an assault, intimidating act, bringing weapons into the workplace and stalking. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s General Duty Clause, employers should provide a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. It is a requirement. Employers should take necessary steps to ensure that their employees are safe and workplace violence should be minimized if not prevented completely.
The first step to lessen workplace violence is to identify the possible signs of violence. Assessment and security analysis should be done to pin point risk factors.
Next step, is creating a policy regarding anti-violence program. This policy should consider all workers and anyone who may interact with the company personnel. Also, furnish necessary details of non-compliance of the policy.
Since policy is already written, providing training to the workforce is the most effective way to reach the set policy. Training such as how to recognize the earliest stages of workplace violence and how to report these issues. Moreover, include training on how to protect oneself if workplace violence happens.
Once complaints against workplace violence are already raised, the employers should investigate the matter immediately. Develop corresponding actions once conclusions are finalized. Implement corrective controls aside from implementing policies over workplace violence.
Evaluate everything steps from identifying risk to developing and implementing necessary precautions. These procedures may not stop the totality of workplace violence, abusive conduct, but minimizing it is a helpful step. Organizations, employers should find ways how to reduce these challenges and prevent workplace violence.