15 Dec Tips to Reduce Workplace Violence Hazards
If you think that your job puts you at a greater risk for workplace violence you must continue to be aware of your environment at all times and continuously be on the lookout for potentially violent situations.
Workplace violence should not be overlooked. In fact, The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in the United States one-sixth of all reported violent crimes occur in the workplace.
Workplace violence also costs millions of dollars a year, and that’s excluding the toll that it takes on employees and workplace morale.
What is Workplace Violence?
Workplace violence or occupational violence refers to “violence, usually in the form of physical abuse or threat, that creates a risk to the health and safety of an employee or multiple employees.”
Workplace violence can include assaults, domestic violence, stalking, harassment (including sexual), physical or emotional abuse and homicide.
As workplace violence can affect and involve employees, clients, customers, and visitors, it is a major concern for employers and employees nationwide.
How Can Workplace Violence Hazards be Reduced?
In most workplaces where risk factors can be identified, the risk of assault can be prevented or minimized if employees take proper precautions.
First, employers can use many measures to try to identify problematic employees before they join the team and enter the workplace; Pre-employment screenings could be the most important of these measures.
Next, “the tone of your workplace is another important aspect in preventing workplace violence.”
Employers can offer one of the best protections: establish a zero-tolerance policy towards workplace violence. An employer can take additional measures to promote a safe work environment, which include:
- Adopting a prevention policy and program, and communication to all employees the essentials of that program
- Providing regular training in violence-prevention measures for all new and current employees, supervisors, and managers
- Supporting victims of the workplace and/or domestic violence
- Adopting fair and consistent disciplinary procedures
- Fostering a climate of trust and respect among workers and between employees and management
Lastly, employers have the moral and legal responsibility to monitor the workplace, identify the risks or threats of violence, and to take reasonable steps to prevent violence from occurring.
It’s far more effective to be proactive and make sure that employees are aware of the possible dangers and are taking all the proper precautions to keep their workplace safe than it is to keep them unaware so they don’t become alarmed.
Prevention comes from identifying and dealing with problems immediately; therefore, Synergy Comp teamed up with Safety National to provide the proper training to protect your most valuable assets – your employees.
Synergy Comp’s Free Safety Resources
Safety National is an online training resource that improves the safety performance of your whole team while building a culture of safety. The online training resource covers a broad range of topics related to your business including the topic, Workplace Violence: Protect the Threat.
The topic is not only perfect to promote during Workplace Awareness Month, but it should be promoted throughout the entire year.
Synergy offers several other safety resources to all current active clients that focus on the specific changes and challenges that are unique to all businesses. The trainings are industry-specific and cater to your exact line of business. The online resource will be free of charge; not only saving time but money.
If you are interested in partnering with Synergy Comp and SOS Consulting to create a culture that fosters communication and embraces safety as a core operating principle, Contact Us Today!
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