With the recent fatal shootings at Virginia Tech as well as N.A.S.A., the spotlight on workplace violence has once again been intensified. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, some 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence each year, but it does not occur only at an office or jobsite. Workplace violence can occur anywhere and can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide, a leading cause of job-related deaths.

“It is frightening to think about, but workplace violence is far too common to ignore,” said Tony Grijalva, CEO of G&A Partners, a Houston-based HR services firm. “When an incident occurs between co-workers, it often gets national attention, but these incidents are actually rather rare. Yet when you consider the number of store attendants who are assaulted during a robbery, or customer service representatives who are verbally abused, then you begin to understand how common workplace violence is.”

While no one is immune to potential violence, some workers are at increased risk. They include workers who exchange money with the public such as store clerks; workers who deliver passengers, goods or services such as taxicab or delivery truck drivers; or those who work alone or in small groups often during late night or early morning hours such as visiting nurses, psychiatric evaluators and probation officers.

So what should employers do to protect their employees or if an incident occurs? The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) offers these suggestions.

Tips for Prevention

• Institute a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence.

• Establish a workplace violence prevention program or incorporate the information into an existing accident prevention program, employee handbook or safety manual. (As part of this program, it is important that all employees know that any claims of violence will be investigated thoroughly and remedied promptly.)

• Provide safety education for employees so they know what conduct is not acceptable, what to do if they witness or are subjected to workplace violence and how to protect themselves.

• Secure the workplace. Where appropriate to the business, install video surveillance, extra lighting or alarm systems and minimize access by outsiders through identification badges, electronic keys and guards.

• Provide drop safes to limit the amount of cash on hand. Keep a minimal amount of cash in registers during the evening and late-night hours.

• Equip field staff with cellular phones and hand-held alarms or noise devices, and require them to prepare a daily work plan and keep a contact person informed of their location throughout the day. And be sure to keep employer-provided vehicles properly maintained.

• Instruct employees not to enter any location where they feel unsafe. Depending on the nature of the work, it may be appropriate to introduce a “buddy system” or provide a guarded escort in particularly dangerous situations or at night.

• Develop policies and procedures for high-risk situations specific to your business or industry, and allow your employees the right to refuse to provide services in clearly dangerous situations.

Tips if an Incident Occurs

• Encourage employees to report and log incidents or threats of workplace violence.

• If necessary, provide prompt medical attention and treatment.

• Report any violence to local police immediately.

• Acknowledge a victim's right to prosecute perpetrators.

• Communicate openly with employees about the incident. Discuss the circumstances of the incident with staff members and share thoughts about avoiding similar situations.

• Offer counseling services to help workers recover from a violent incident.

• Investigate all violent incidents or threats, monitor trends in violent incidents by type or circumstance and institute corrective actions.

For more information on workplace violence and how to prevent it, visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov or contact G&A Partners, at 713-784-1181.