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amount of cash kept on hand, with appropriate signs posted? Could someone hear a worker who calls for help? Can employees observe patients or clients in waiting areas? Do areas used for patient or client interviews allow co-workers to observe any problems? Are waiting areas and work areas free of objects that could be used as weapons? Are chairs and furniture secured to prevent their use as weapons? Is furniture in waiting areas and work areas arranged to prevent entrapment of workers? Are patient or client waiting areas designed to maximize comfort and minimize stress? Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers 3 3 All Areas Some Areas Few Areas No Areas NOTES/FOLLOW-UP ACTION Are patients or clients in waiting areas clearly informed how to use the department’s services so they will not become frustrated? Are waiting times for patient or client services kept short to prevent frustration? Are private, locked restrooms available for employees? Is there a secure place for workers to store personal belongings? 3. INSPECTING EXTERIOR BUILDING AREAS Yes No NOTES/FOLLOW-UP ACTION Do workers feel safe walking to and from the workplace? Are the entrances to the building clearly visible from the street? Is the area surrounding the building free of bushes or other hiding places? Is lighting bright and effective in outside areas? Are security personnel provided outside the building? Is video surveillance provided outside the building? Are remote areas secured during off shifts? Is a buddy escort system required to remote areas during off shifts? Are all exterior walkways visible to security personnel? Occupational Safety and Health Administration 3 4 4. INSPECTING PARKING AREAS Yes No NOTES/FOLLOW-UP ACTION Is there a nearby parking lot reserved for employees only? Is the parking lot attended or otherwise secured? Is the parking lot free of blind spots and is landscaping trimmed back to prevent hiding places? Is there enough lighting to see clearly in the parking lot and when walking to the building? Are security escorts available to employees walking to and from the parking lot? 5. SECURITY MEASURES Does the workplace have: In Place Should Add Doesn’t Apply NOTES/FOLLOW-UP ACTION Physical barriers (plexiglass partitions, bullet-resistant customer window, etc.)? Security cameras or closed-circuit TV in high-risk areas? Panic buttons? Alarm systems? Metal detectors? Security screening device? Door locks? Internal telephone system to contact emergency assistance? Telephones with an outside line programmed for 911? Two-way radios, pagers, or cellular telephones? Security mirrors (e.g., convex mirrors)? Secured entry (e.g., “buzzers”)? Personal alarm devices? “Drop safes” to limit the amount of cash on hand? Broken windows repaired promptly? Security systems, locks, etc. tested on a regular basis and repaired promptly when necessary? Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers 3 5 6. COMMENTS Checklist completed by: Date: Department/Location: Phone Number: Workplace Violence Prevention Program Assessment Checklist Use this checklist as part of a regular safety and health inspection or audit to be conducted by the Health and Safety, Crime/Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator, or joint labor/management committee. If a question does not apply to the workplace, then write “N/A” (not applicable) in the notes column. Add any other questions that may be appropriate. Yes No NOTES STAFFING Is there someone responsible for building security? Who is it? Are workers told who is responsible for security? Is adequate and trained staffing available to protect workers who are in potentially dangerous situations? Are there trained security personnel accessible to workers in a timely manner? Do security personnel have sufficient authority to take all necessary action to ensure worker safety? Are security personnel provided outside the building? Is the parking lot attended or otherwise secure? Are security escorts available to walk employees to and from the parking lot? Occupational Safety and Health Administration 3 6 Yes No NOTES TRAINING Are workers trained in the emergency