Workplace violence includes riots, protests, insurrections, and assaults that arise from outside the organization. Internal violence ranges from pushing and shoving incidents to assaults with guns and deadly weapons.
NEWSWEEK conservatively sets the cost of crime in the United States at $674 billion a year. This includes $78 billion for the criminal justice system and an additional $64 billion for private protection. The cost to business from loss of life and work is $202 billion, crimes against business cost $120 billion, and stolen goods and fraud cost $60 billion. In addition, drug abuse costs are estimated at $40 billion and drunk driving at $110 billion.
WORKPLACE FATALITIES
- Transportation accidents 40%
- Assaults and violent acts 30%
- Contact with objects and equipment 12%
- Falls 10%
- Exposure to substances 8%
- Fire and explosion 3%
In Los Angeles, traffic accidents comprised 20% and homicides almost 50% of workplace fatalities. Most of the homicides occurred in businesses that engage in cash transactions with the public-such as convenience stores and banks. All high-risk employees should have security education and training.
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
Violence in society and the workplace seems to be increasing exponentially. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued an alert on workplace violence. NIOSH offers a 10-page Workplace Violence Prevention Guide which can be ordered by calling 800-35-NIOSH (Fax 513-533-8573).
What can you do? Many symptoms warning of a dangerous and possibly lethal action can be recognized. Violence most commonly results from an individual's perception of being unfairly treated, harassed, and/or overstressed by the company, supervisors, or co-workers.
According to the Workplace Violence Research Institute, the best times to have significant impact on the prevention of violence is when hiring and terminating employees.
I believe that ergonomics concepts can be applied to workplace violence. Violence can be seen as the result of cumulative trauma disorders. The principles of ergonomics offer suggestions for cost-effective, practical approaches including:
1. Measurement. Determine the level and frequency of stresses on individuals (the work environment and the home and nonwork environments can contribute).
2. Analysis. Identify stressors and measurable results such as injuries, absenteeism, productivity, and quality. Identify risk factors and causes.
3. Establish improvements in environment, tasks, equipment, and personnel that will minimize physical, biological, psychological, and organizational mismatches.
4. Work to reduce complications, friction, conflict, incompatibility, lack of communication, dissonance, and organizational inefficiencies.
5. Reevaluate and constantly improve based on experience using the four approaches just outlined.
PREVENTING HOMICIDE IN THE WORKPLACE
Homicide is the third leading cause of death from occupational injury. Guns are the most commonly used weapons.
Workplaces with a high risk of violence are: taxicabs, liquor stores, gas stations, detective/protective services, justice/public order establishments, grocery stores, jewelry stores, hotels/motels, and eating/drinking places.
Occupations with a high risk of violence are: taxicab drivers/chauffeurs, law enforcement officers, hotel clerks, gas station workers, security guards, stock handlers/baggers, store owners/managers, and bartenders.
FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF HOMICIDE
- Exchange of money with the public
- Working alone or in small numbers
- Working late at night or early morning hours
- Working in high-crime areas
- Guarding valuable property or possessions
- Working in community settings
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
- Make high-risk areas visible to more people.
- Install good external lighting.
- Use drop safes to minimize cash on hand.
- Carry small amounts of cash.
- Post signs stating that limited cash is on hand.
- Install silent alarms.
- Install surveillance cameras.
- Increase the number of staff on duty.
- Provide training in conflict resolution and nonviolent response.
- Avoid resistance during robbery.
- Provide bullet-proof barriers or enclosures.
- Have police check on workers routinely.
- Close establishment during high-risk hours.
Some early warning signs of an employee's potential for violence are:
- History of violent behavior
- Obsession with weapons
- Carrying a weapon
- Threatening behavior
- Obsessive job involvement, pushing limits of normal conduct
- Loner and paranoid, holds grudge
- Desperation over problems (personal, financial, job)
- Fascination with incidents of violence
Other contributing factors are:
- Lack of management action against violent incidents even if minor
- Workplace stress (layoffs, closings, and labor disputes)
- Locations and activities that pose threat from outsiders
- Poor security planning especially in supermarkets, grocery and drug stores, gas stations, and convenience stores.