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workplace violence incident occurring. In addition, it should assist in the identification or development of appropriate training. The assessment team should also determine how often and under Cooperation between workers and employers in identifying and assessing hazards is the foundation of a successful violence prevention program. Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers 9 what circumstances worksite analyses should be conducted. For example, the team may determine that a comprehensive annual worksite analysis should be conducted, but require that an investigative analysis occur after every incident or near miss. Additionally, those conducting the worksite analysis should periodically inspect the workplace and evaluate worker tasks in order to identify hazards, conditions, operations and situations that could lead to potential violence. The advice of independent reviewers, such as safety and health professionals, law enforcement or security specialists, and insurance safety auditors may be solicited to strengthen programs. These experts often provide a different perspective that serves to improve a program. Information is generally collected through: (1) records analysis; (2) job hazard analysis; (3) employee surveys; and (4) patient/ client surveys. Records analysis and tracking Records review is important to identify patterns of assaults or near misses that could be prevented or reduced through the implementation of appropriate controls. Records review should include medical, safety, specific threat assessments, workers’ compensation and insurance records. The review should also include the OSHA Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300) if the employer is required to maintain one. In addition, incident/near-miss logs, a facility’s general event or daily log and police reports should be reviewed to identify assaults relative to particular: ■ Departments/Units; ■ Work areas; ■ Job titles; ■ Activities—such as transporting patients between units or facilities, patient intake; and ■ Time of day. Occupational Safety and Health Administration 1 0 Possible Findings from Records Review: Hospital Residential Treatment Nonresidential Treatment/ Service Community Care Field Workers (Home Healthcare and Social Service) Departments/ Units x Emergency Department x Psychiatric Unit x Geriatric Unit x Dementia Unit x Adolescent Unit Work areas x Waiting room x Nurses’ station x Hallway x Treatment rooms x Therapy room x Patient’s room x Dining area x Van/Car transport x Waiting area x Therapy room x Kitchen x Car x Kitchen x Car x Bedroom Job titles x Security guard x Nurse x Therapist x Doctor x Receptionist x Health aide x Technician x Social worker x Therapist x Nurse x Health aide x Security guard x Driver x Technician x Social worker x Behavioral health specialist x Nurse x Technician x Social worker x Therapist x Health aide x Social worker x Health aide x Child Support services x Emergency medical personnel Activities x Patient intake x Transferring patients from one floor to another x Meal time x Bathing x Changing of staff x Scanning for weapons x Conducting therapy x Transitioning patients from one area to another x Driving patients x Feeding patient x Therapy room x Client intake x Conducting therapy x Bathing/ changing/ feeding client x Administering meds x Driving patient x Bathing/ changing/ feeding client x Administering meds x Driving patient x Interacting with clients’ families Time of day x After 10 PM x Meal times x Late afternoon and evening x No pattern x Entry or exit x Entry or exit x Meal times Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers 1 1 Job Hazard Analysis A job hazard analysis is an assessment that focuses on job tasks to identify hazards. Through review of procedures and operations connected to specific tasks or positions to identify if they contribute to hazards related to workplace violence and/or can be modified to reduce the likelihood of violence occurring, it examines the relationship between the employee, the task, tools, and the work environment. Worker participation is an essential component of the analysis. As noted in OSHA’s publication on job hazard