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based on lowering the frequency and severity of workplace violence; 12 Proper patient confidentiality must be maintained. Occupational Safety and Health Administration 3 0 ■ Keeping up-to-date records of administrative and work practice changes to prevent workplace violence to evaluate how well they work; ■ Surveying workers before and after making job or worksite changes or installing security measures or new systems to determine their effectiveness; ■ Tracking recommendations through to completion; ■ Keeping abreast of new strategies available to prevent and respond to violence in the healthcare and social service fields as they develop; ■ Surveying workers periodically to learn if they experience hostile situations in performing their jobs; ■ Complying with OSHA and state requirements for recording and reporting injuries, illnesses, and fatalities; and ■ Requesting periodic law enforcement or outside consultant review of the worksite for recommendations on improving worker safety. Workplace Violence Program Checklists These checklists can help you or your workplace violence/crime prevention committee evaluate the workplace and job tasks to identify situations that may place workers at risk of assault. It is not designed for a specific industry or occupation, and may be used for any workplace. Adapt the checklist to fit your own needs. It is very comprehensive and not every question will apply to your workplace—if the question does not apply, either delete or write “N/A” in the NOTES column. Add any other questions that may be relevant to your worksite. 1. RISK FACTORS FOR WORKPLACE VIOLENCE Cal/OSHA and NIOSH have identified the following risk factors that may contribute to violence in the workplace. If you have one or more of these risk factors in your workplace, there may be a potential for violence. Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers 3 1 YES NO Notes/Follow-up Action Do employees have contact with the public? Do they exchange money with the public? Do they work alone? Do they work late at night or during early morning hours? Is the workplace often understaffed? Is the workplace located in an area with a high crime rate? Do employees enter areas with a high crime rate? Do they have a mobile workplace (patrol vehicle, work van, etc.)? Do they deliver passengers or goods? Do employees perform jobs that might put them in conflict with others? Do they ever perform duties that could upset people (deny benefits, confiscate property, terminate child custody, etc.)? Do they deal with people known or suspected of having a history of violence? Do any employees or supervisors have a history of assault, verbal abuse, harassment, or other threatening behavior? Other risk factors – please describe: 2. INSPECTING WORK AREAS ■ Who is responsible for building security? ■ Are workers told or can they identify who is responsible for security? Yes No You or your workplace violence/crime prevention committee should now begin a “walkaround” inspection to identify potential security hazards. This inspection can tell you which hazards are already well controlled, and what control measures need to be added. Not all of the following questions may be answered through simple observation. You may also need to talk to workers or investigate in other ways. Occupational Safety and Health Administration 3 2 All Areas Some Areas Few Areas No Areas NOTES/FOLLOW-UP ACTION Are nametags or ID cards required for employees (omitting personal information such as last name and home address)? Are workers notified of past violent acts in the workplace? Are trained security and counseling personnel accessible to workers in a timely manner? Do security and counseling personnel have sufficient authority to take all necessary action to ensure worker safety? Is there an established liaison with state police and/or local police and counseling agencies? Are bullet-resistant windows or similar barriers used when money is exchanged with the public? Are areas where money is exchanged visible to others who could help in an emergency? (For example, can you see cash register areas from outside?) Is a limited
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