Embedded Files
Scope of the Problem
Scope of the Problem
Over 2 million people are victims to workplace violence each year.
Homicide is the second leading cause of job-related deaths.
Notice the Violent or Threatening Behavior including:
Notice the Violent or Threatening Behavior including:
Verbal abuse
Indirect threats
Direct threats
Nonverbal threats
Extreme threats
Violent actions
Some Warning Signs include but are not limited to:
Some Warning Signs include but are not limited to:
Fascination with weapons
Alcohol or drug abuse
Severe stress
Anguish over employment decisions
History of violent incidents
Psychological deterioration
Decreased or inconsistent job functioning
Social isolation
Marked deterioration in personal hygiene
Other major personality changes
Your Role in Preventing and Defusing Violence
Your Role in Preventing and Defusing Violence
When faced with a situation that is growing violent, you must anticipate what is going to happen to be able to prepare yourself and create security measures.
When a coworker is angry, a good idea is to have an intervention to talk about the situation and assess the problems that caused it.
Report to someone in authority if any problem continues or worsens.
To sum up, your role is to:
Anticipate
Create Security Measures
Hold Intervention
Report
Dealing with an Angry Coworker
Dealing with an Angry Coworker
In the picture shown here, the worker on the right has responded to the angry worker by pointing his finger back and yelling. He is leaning toward the angry worker. This confrontational style only makes the tense situation worse.
Do not argue or raise your voice at an angry worker.
Be conscious of your body language.
Corrected Situation
Corrected Situation
The worker being yelled at is responding to the situation in a better way than in the previous image.
He has stepped away from the angry worker.
His arms are out to his side in a non-threatening position which indicates that he is ready to listen.
He isn’t yelling or even talking.
He is instead listening to his coworker until the situation calms down.
Information for Incident Reports
Information for Incident Reports
Date, time, and location
Name of aggressor
Name of complainant/victim
Witnesses
Summary of incident
Action taken
Summary
Summary
Realize that workplace violence is a real and present danger
Keep alert for signs of trouble
Take security measures
Take immediate action to deal with threatening or violent behavior
Report all threats or violent behavior
For more information on how to prevent and control workplace violence, please visit www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/.
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