Labor Law Center Blog » Blog Archive » New Jersey Workplace Violence

New Jersey Workplace Violence

March 31st, 2008 Posted by Amelia

According to OSHA, every New Jersey employer should have a plan in place to prevent workplace violence. Even more important, there should be a plan to address violence if it does occur.

On February 13, 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.

While this tragic even occurred in New York, no state is immune from violence in the workplace.

The New York 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.

The following day, in a frightening incident this month, an armed man terrorized employees at a Kmart store in Whatcom County, Washington. The man stole a gun from the retailer, then ran through the store screaming and knocking over employees on February 14. The man is described as a white male in his mid-twenties.

The man held a knife to the store manager’s throat before smashing a display case to steal a gun and ammo.

Outside the store, the man confronted a police officer, but stopped short of aiming the gun at anyone. The man threatened to kill himself if apprehended.

While there is no conclusive evidence yet, it appears that the man may have been under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both.

People who witnessed the incident are asked to contact the Bellingham Police Department. Police are concerned that an accomplice in the incident may still be at large.

When employers think of the potential for violence in the workplace, they usually focus on late-night robberies of convenience stores, not mid-morning robberies of suburban discount stores.

In the early 1990s, over 200 people were murdered in the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that number dropped to 94 in 2006. Violence in the workplace in Ohio and across the nation is a concern for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), particularly homicides. Though the number of people killed has dropped over the years, it is still a major factor.

OSHA urges all employers to establish a policy of zero tolerance toward violence on the job. Safety programs and violence prevention programs should be set up and provided in writing to all employees. Workers should also understand how to prevent violence, and how to react in violent scenarios.

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

The statistics regarding workplace violence are staggering. Over 2 million Americans are victimized every year. All occupations and social levels are included. Blue collar workers and professionals are each as likely to be involved.

To help prevent workplace violence, OSHA recommends that all companies install video surveillance, alarm systems and extra lighting. All workers should be issued an I. D. badge to limit access, along with cell phones and hand-held alarms. For those workers handling a lot of cash, especially at night, companies should provide a drop safe.

For their safety, all employees who work away from an office should provide their employer with their work plan, and check in during the day. Plus, companies should have a policy where a worker clearly facing a dangerous situation can refuse that situation.