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OSHA Guide to Preventing Workplace Violence

April 10th, 2008 Posted by Amelia

Another tragic workplace shooting underscores the fact that every employer should take steps to prevent violence in the workplace. In addition, employers should have a plan in place to react quickly to any violent incident.

On February 14, a former graduate student at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb opened fire in an oceanography class. Five students were killed and more than a dozen, including a professor were injured in the shooting spree, before the shooter turned the gun on himself.

The gunman, dressed all in black, stormed into the classroom about 3 pm on Thursday and began firing into the crowd of 100 students. About half the students tried to run out of the lecture hall, while the others fell to the floor and hid under desks. Within seconds, 15 people were wounded and 6 were killed. One victim died of wounds in the following days.

The shooting took place just 15 minutes before the class was scheduled to end.

Authorities have identified Steve Kazmierczak, 27, a former grad student at NIU as the lone shooter. Every indication at this point is that he acted alone.

Kazmierczak was a former sociology grad student at NIU who had transferred to the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana about a year ago. He apparently chose the ocean science classroom at random, without knowing any of the students or the professor.

Kazmierczak’s motives are unclear. His knowledge of criminal justice – one of his areas of study – enabled him to conceal evidence from the police. Because Kazmierczak destroyed his computer hard drive and vital chips in his cell phone, authorities can only speculate on his motives.

Kazmierczak’s girlfriend insists that he was as much a victim here as any of the other fatally injured students. Kazmierczak was on three drugs for anxiety and depression, although he had recently discontinued one. He is described as an honor roll student

One of the major concerns for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in Ohio and throughout the country is violence in the workplace. Sadly, homicides make up a major portion of that violence. According to the Bureau of Statistics, over 200 murders occurred on the job in the early 1990s. The number has decreased over the years, with 94 murders reported in 2006, but homicides are still a major factor.

OSHA defines violence as threats, verbal abuse, physical abuse, assault or homicide and is concerned about both workplace violence and the threat of violence against workers. Over 2 million Americans are victimized by workplace violence every year, blue collar workers and professionals alike. OSHA recommends several steps to help prevent violence on the job.

OSHA suggests equipping workers with cell phones and hand-held alarms, providing a safe drop for employees so less cash is on hand, and installing alarms, additional lighting and video surveillance cameras.

All employers should also establish an antiviolence program in the workplace. Detailed safety measures should be provided in writing to the employees (normally in the employee handbook), and all workers should be trained how to prevent and how to react to violent scenarios.

Zero tolerance by employers toward workplace violence is especially helpful as a deterrent. Companies need to ensure that all workers understand the antiviolence programs and know that violent incidents should be reported immediately. Businesses are required to promptly investigate and remedy these scenarios.

Unfortunately, certain occupations put workers at higher risk for violence, particularly jobs where employees deal with the public. These occupations include utility workers, cab drivers, mail carriers (and all workers who deliver packages, goods and services), and employees who provides social services (healthcare workers, social workers probation officers).

As a safety measure, outside salespeople and others who work away from an office should file their work plan with their employer and call in on a regular basis with their whereabouts.

For further information, employers can contact the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to obtain material on preventing workplace violence.