Labor Law Center Blog » Blog Archive » Preventing Workplace Violence in New York

Preventing Workplace Violence in New York

February 28th, 2008 Posted by Amelia

Over 2 million Americans are the victims of workplace violence every year.

In the most recent incident in New York, a therapist was hacked to death by a man with a meat cleaver. Kathryn Faughey, described as a dedicated therapist, was attacked in her office. A male colleague, Dr. Kent Shinback, was injured trying to save her.

The assailant was apparently related to a former patient of Dr. Shinback’s. The man, who has been apprehended by police, says that he planned to attack Shinback but decided to rob Faughey’s purse, sitting in her empty office, while he was waiting. When Faughey returned unexpectedly, the man attacked her.

Three bloody knives were left in the room.

Police say that Faughey put up a “fierce struggle” leaving blood on the floor and walls.

Unfortunately, homicides comprise a major portion of the violence against workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics over 200 murders occurred on the job in the early 1990s. In 2006, 94 homicides occurred. Thankfully, the incidents are decreasing, but murders remain a major factor of violence on the job.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is greatly concerned about violence in the workplace in Ohio and the U.S., and about the threat of violence against workers. Violence is defined as anything from threats to verbal abuse, to physical assaults and homicide.

Workplace violence can affect all workers, whether blue collar or professional, but certain occupations are at increased risk. Workers who deal with the public, such as employees who deliver packages, handle money; work alone or in small groups late at night or very early in the morning, and those who work in high crime areas.

Occupations that offer services to the public, such as healthcare professionals, social workers and probation officers also face increased risk. Home services providers, too, are at increased risk, including cable TV installers, postal carriers and utility workers.

Surprisingly, statistics reveal that nurses are assaulted on the job as often as police officers. Most of the attacks occur in hospitals, but can also occur when nurses do home visits.

OSHA urges all businesses to establish antiviolence programs, and to provide details of safety measures in writing to all employees. In addition, companies should take certain steps to help prevent workplace violence. Those steps include installing extra lights, alarm systems and surveillance video cameras.

Employees who handle lots of cash should be provided with a drop safe to limit cash on hand. Guards should be hired and all employees should be issued electronic keys and I.D. badges to limit access. Also, anyone who feels uncomfortable leaving a job after dark should receive an escort.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provide downloads and videos on preventing workplace violence.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) General Duty Clause, all Ohio employers (and employers across the country) are required to provide a workplace that is safe and healthy. While it isn’t possible to prevent all accidents, there are several steps employees and employers can take to abate the risk to workers.

First, the employer needs to establish a procedure for handling any incidents of violence related to the job. All workers should be informed of this procedure in writing should practice it, just as they would practice any other safety drill.