Here are ten ideas from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for preventing violence against workers who have contact with the public:
1-Use physical barriers to protect yourself
2- Install silent alarm systems, panic buttons
3- Use mirrors, raised platforms and make sure that the area where money is exchanged can be seen
4-Use bright and effective lighting
5-Make sure that you have enough staff members
6-Use drop safes so that there is only a limited amount of cash on hand. Make sure that you post signs telling people that you only have a limited cash supply
7-Use height markers on exit doors
8-Use video surveillance equipment so that activity is always being monitored
9-Control or limit access to the facility
10-Install locks on doors that lead to staff-only areas
Here are some suggestions for helping to prevent acts of violence commited by employees or associates
Have close contact with employees. Make sure that everyone is feeling a part of the organization.
Review any act of violence that has occurred in the workplace, even if it is considered minor.
Have a WRITTEN policy explaining how violence in the workplace will not be tolerated.
State clearly what workplace violence is and what is and is not acceptable behavior.
Train all staff about what to do if violence occurs.
Set up a "Buddy" system so each employee has someone to go to in case they are having problems at work.
Remain calm when confronting an employee.
Look for warning signs.
Warning Signs to Look for in Employees
Violent incidents in the workplace ordinarily follow some sort of "trigger" that pushes an already vulnerable person to take drastic action. Be wary of employees who start to behave in the ways listed below:
They say they've been treated unfairly
They say they're being forced to wait for something (a promotion, raise, etc.)
They show signs of mental instability
They begin to isolate themselves, are thought of as a loner
They have recently been disciplined for something
Most employees with grievances don't become violent. It's also important to be aware of the traits most often found in violent employees.
Violence in the workplace is a serious safety and health issue. Its most extreme form, homicide, is the fourth-leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), there were 564 workplace homicides in 2005 in the United States, out of a total of 5,702 fatal work injuries. This does not have to be.
Environmental conditions associated with workplace assaults have been identified and control strategies implemented in a number of work settings. OSHA has developed guidelines and recommendations to reduce worker exposures to this hazard but is not initiating rulemaking at this time. Here is a link to the US Dept. Of Labor which has more helpful information about this important topic.
About The Author:
J Mark Soveign