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Preventing Workplace Violence in Louisiana

April 3rd, 2008 Posted by Amelia

Over 2 million Americans are the victims of workplace violence every year. Unfortunately, homicides comprise a major portion of this violence. 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 Louisiana 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.

OSHA Louisiana Worker Safety

Safety and health in the workplace in Louisiana, and throughout the nation, is a major concern for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In fact, OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a safe environment for its employees. They must keep records of all the threats and incidents of violence by type and remedy the problems immediately. Failure to do so can open the company to severe penalties from OSHA.

To help protect employees from violence and to help prevent violence, OSHA suggests employers take certain steps.

All companies need a safety program that includes procedures for identifying and reporting violence in the workplace. All employees should be trained in these procedures, including how to diffuse and avoid violent scenarios. Regular drills, similar to fire drills, should be run so workers can practice these procedures.

Companies should encourage all workers to practice safety measures in the workplace and when away from the office. Out in the community, employees should refrain from carrying a lot of money, and from wearing expensive jewelry. On travel, too, especially when visiting a new location or situation alone, workers should be careful not to arrive late at night.

Any problems in the physical features of the workplace need to be reported, too. A fire door that doesn’t lock properly or a missing I. D. badge is an important security concern. All problems and all threats of violence should be reported immediately, even if the threat doesn’t seem very serious. Statistics reveal that incidents of violence often provide warning signs, such as destruction of property and verbal abuse.

When an incident occurs workers should get the employee first aid and medical attention. The police should be notified of the incident and the victim advised of his or her right to prosecute. The employer should gather workers to discuss the incident and to offer stress debriefing and counseling.