Does OSHA require employees to receive any sort of workplace violence training?
No. OSHA does not have specific regulations that require workplace violence training, but it does offer guidelines and recommendations to industries that can implement their own workplace violence prevention programs; for example, the Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments (published in 1996 and based on OSHA’s voluntary generic Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines).
What steps does OSHA recommend to reduce workplace violence?
OSHA provides various guidelines seeking to evaluate and control violence in particularly risky workplaces. Such occupations may include taxi and for-hire drivers, late-night retail establishments, healthcare and social service workers, restaurant employees, etc. In general, OSHA recommends that employers adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards violence against or by employees. A workplace violence prevention program is strongly recommended, and it is critical that all employees are familiar with, understand, and adhere to the program. Apart from providing such education, employers should furthermore: (1) guard the workplace with necessary security measures; (2) provide drop safes to minimize the amount of cash in registers; (3) provide employees with hand-held alarms or cell phones and set up a buddy system or contact person; (4) provide an escort service or police assistance in potentially dangerous situations; and (5) protect employees (i.e. healthcare providers) during home visits with strict policies and procedures.
Has OSHA ever used the General Duty Clause to fine employees for workplace violence related issues?
The General Duty Clause is meant to protect employees with its requirement that employers provide a place of employment that is free from recognizable and potentially lethal hazards. It has been cited to fine employees for workplace violence related issues. One such example is when OSHA cited Megawest Financial (an apartment complex) in 1995, for violating the General Duty Clause by failing to protect its staff from the verbal and physical violence of an apartment resident, who sprayed an employee’s eyes with mace when they refused to refund her deposit. The employee was hospitalized; OSHA furthermore discovered a history of threats and physical violence against the leasing office staff. There have been more extreme cases, as well. On the grounds of the General Duty Clause, OSHA cited and fined the Renaissance Project, Inc. (an addition facility) after one employee’s injury and another employee’s death (allegedly inflicted by a patient). In 2011, Acadia Hospital (a psychiatric hospital) was cited by OSHA for failing to protect employees from assaults by violent patients, and paid a $6,300 fine.
In which industries is workplace violence most common?
OSHA notes that several factors may increase the likelihood of workplace violence, including: type of occupation (providing services and care, working with people who have unstable/volatile characters, etc.), time of day (night), and location (areas with high crime rate, worksites where alcohol is served, etc.). Employees at higher risk may be those who are customer service agents, delivery drivers, who exchange money with the public, healthcare professionals, law enforcement personnel, and those who work alone or in small groups.
Do people just "snap"?
No. Although it may seem that way to an outsider, violent behavior is not the result of mere spontaneity. The abrupt "eruption" is actually like a spark of fire started after hours of striking rocks together, or like a burning ember that finally catches flame given a final push of air. This "slow burn" is typically the result of a person’s inability to deal with accumulating problems or numerous stressors.
Is workplace violence random?
Not in most cases. Usually, people are targeted by the perpetrator because he/she believes that they have something to do with that person’s current situation or plight, even if this belief is skewed or misaligned.
DVD cost effectively trains and retrains an unlimited amount of employees.
No trainer required, just pop in and play.
Video content keeps trainees engaged.
Very convenient, multiple employees don’t need to be pulled off the floor at once for a training session.
Includes both video content and an interactive quiz element to keep workers engaged.
More engaging than traditional training formats.
Can be customized to fit a companies specific work environment and equipment.
The only training option that can cover the "hands on" and "evaluation" portions of the training in addition to the "classroom" portion of the training.
CONS
Can be difficult to pull multiple workers off the floor at once to watch the video.
The DVD can get lost or scratched.
DVD can only train workers at a single location.
Due to the per person pricing format, it’s expensive for large companies that need to train hundreds or thousands of employees.
By far the most expensive training medium.
Administering refresher training as well as initial training for new employees can be a logistical nightmare.
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