Preventing Workplace Violence in Mississippi

April 2nd, 2008 Posted by Amelia

In Mississippi and throughout the United States, homicide is a major cause of workplace fatalities. The Bureau of Statistics reports that over 200 murders occurred on the job in the early 1990s. In 2006, that number had decreased to 94 murders, but homicides are still a large component of workplace violence.

Workplace violence is defined by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) as ranging from threats to physical abuse and homicide. These attacks can occur on the premises of the workplace, or away from the job. Every year, over 2 million Americans are victims of workplace violence.

Certain occupations are particularly susceptible to violence on the job. Perhaps the most obvious are persons who work in high crime areas and who work alone or in small groups late at night. Less obvious are nurses and other healthcare personnel. Statistics, in fact, show that nurses are assaulted on the job as often as police officers. The majority of incidents occur in the hospital, but some occur when nurses do home visits.

Any employee who deals extensively with the public is at an increased risk of workplace violence. Delivery personnel, probation officers, social workers, postal carriers and utility workers are just a few of the occupations exposed to increased risk.

OSHA provides employers with several ideas on how to prevent violence on the job. One suggestion is to limit access to the workplace by issuing I.D. badges and electronic keys to all workers. Guards can also be placed at strategic positions to limit access.

In addition, alarm systems, video surveillance and plenty of lighting should be installed. Workers can be issued hand-held alarms and cell-phones as well. All businesses should implement antiviolence programs and provide training for workers on how to prevent and how to react to violent incidents.

To assist in training workers, employers can obtain downloads and videos on preventing workplace violence from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

OSHA Mississippi Worker Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends several steps to help employers and employees in Mississippi–and in all other states–protect themselves against violence in the workplace. These steps can also help prevent threats and acts of violence, which are a major concern for OSHA.

Employers should establish safety programs that include antiviolence procedures. These procedures should include training for employees to understand what constitutes threats of violence and how to report the incidents. Workers should practice these procedures and know how to recognize, avoid and even diffuse potentially violent situations.

Security and maintenance issues can pose a threat to the workplace. A broken lock on a secure door, a stolen I. D. badge, or a broken window can all be threats to security. These problems should be reported immediately–and remedied immediately.

Odd behavior of coworkers can sometimes warn employees of problems to come. Signals of a tendency toward violence can include verbal abuse, threats and minor assaults. Sometimes these situations don’t seem necessarily dangerous, but they should still be reported. Noting a particular worker’s suspicious behavior early can prevent problems later, so all incidents should be reported.

Some simple steps can be taken by employees to help prevent violence in the workplace. Workers who deal with the public, or work out in the community should be careful not to carry a lot of cash, or wear expensive items. Also, employees should never enter a new location or scenario alone, especially at night.

When violence occurs, the victim should receive medical attention. Also, the police need to be informed and the victim advised of his or her right to press charges against the perpetrator. Employers should discuss the incident with all of the staff to help ease concerns and to help prevent future attacks. Counseling and stress debriefing should also be offered to all workers.

OSHA’s General Duty Clause demands that employers provide a safe and healthy workplace, and requires them to keep a record of every violent incident by type. Failure to comply with OSHA regulations will open employers to severe penalties.

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Posted in Compliance Issues, Employer Requirements, Mississippi, Updated Regulations

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