OSHA Recommendations For Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments

OSHA Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments
What Is Workplace Violence?

Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting
Workplace Violence
Violence is a leading cause of workplace fatality, resulting in 856 deaths in 1997(BLS) The most common type of workplace fatality is a shooting during the robbery of a retail, service or transportation worker
Extent of Problem
Job-related homicides in retail trades accounted for almost half of all workplace homicides in 1997 Homicides in convenience and other grocery stores, eating and drinking places, and gasoline service stations constituted the largest share of homicides in retail establishments
Assaults and Homicides

1600000 1400000 1200000 1000000 800000 600000 400000 200000 0 simple assaults aggravated assaults rapes, sexual assaults robberies homicides
Risk Factors
Contact with the public Exchange of money Delivery of passengers, goods, or services Having a mobile workplace such as a taxicab or police cruiser
Risk Factors (Contd)

Working alone or in small numbers Working in high crime areas Working late, at night, or during early morning hours Guarding valuable property or possessions
OSHAs Commitment
OSHA has developed recommendations to assist employers in night retail establishments to develop workplace violence prevention programs
OSHAs Commitment (contd)

Recommendations are based on: OSHAs 1989 Safety and Health Management Guidelines State regulations or recommendations from CA, FL, and WA
Occupational Safety and Health Act

The OSH Act of 1970 mandates that, in addition to compliance with hazard-specific standards, all employers have a general duty to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. This includes the prevention and control of the hazard of workplace violence OSHA will rely on Section 5 (a)(1) of the OSH Act (the General Duty Clause) for enforcement authority
Recommendations
Educational tool to help late-night retail employers - design, select, and implement workplace violence prevention programs - tailored to meet the specific needs and risk factors in their workplace
Recommendations
Not a standard Does not create any new OSHA duties Not a model program Not a one size fits all answer
Recommendations
Developed for late night retail, especially - convenience stores - liquor stores - gasoline stations Other late night retailers may find them helpful
Violence Prevention Program Elements

Management Commitment and Employee Involvement Worksite Analysis
Hazard Prevention and Control Training Evaluation
Management Commitment
Create and share a policy of violence prevention Take incidents seriously Outline a security plan Assign responsibility, authority and resources
Hold employees accountable Encourage prompt reporting and tracking Encourage employees to get involved and make recommendations
Make sure employees who report problems or experience an incident are not punished or discriminated (11c) against Work with others to improve security
- police - landlords - employer associations
Employee Involvement
Participate in surveys and offer suggestions Assist in security analysis and inspection Help evaluate prevention and control measures Train other employees Share on-the-job experiences with other employees
Worksite Hazard Analysis
Step-by-step, common sense look at the workplace to find existing and potential hazards. - review records and past incidents - workplace security analysis - periodic safety audits
Prevention Strategies
Reduce the risk of robbery by: increasing the effort that the perpetrator must expend increasing the risks to the perpetrator reducing the rewards to the perpetrator
Hazard Prevention and Control

Engineering controls and workplace adaptation Administrative and work practice controls Post incident response
Engineering Controls
Visibility and lighting Drop safes Video surveillance Height markers
Door detectors, buzzers Alarms Bullet resistant barriers
Administrative and Work Practice Controls

Integrate violence prevention into daily procedures Minimal cash in register Emergency procedures, systems of communication Procedures to use barriers & enclosures Increase staffing at high risk locations/times
Administrative and Work Practice Controls

Lock delivery doors Establish rules for workers leaving facility Lock doors when not open, procedures for opening and closing Limit access Adopt safety procedures for off-site work
Post Incident Response

Get medical care for injured victims Report to police and other authorities Inform management Secure the premises - safeguard evidence Prepare incident report immediately Arrange appropriate psychological treatment for victims
Training
Ensure that all staff are aware of security hazards and protective procedures Workers
potential risks operational procedures use of security measures behavioral strategies incident response emergency action
Training
Supervisors, managers and security personnel - same training as all other workers - additional training to help them recognize, analyze and establish controls
Evaluation
Recordkeeping

Injuries Incidents Hazard analyses Recommendations from police, consultants, employees Hazard correction Training and safety meetings
Evaluation
Review
the results of safety audits Review post incident reports Review minutes from safety meetings Analyze trends in incidents, injuries, etc... Consult with employees before & after worksite changes Update information on violence prevention strategies
Sources of Assistance
OSHA Internet Site www.osha.gov OSHA State Programs (California, Florida, Virginia, Washington have developed specific guidelines and recommendations) OSHA Consultation Program NIOSH Trade Associations, Unions, Insurers, etc..

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OSHA Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments

What Is Workplace Violence?

Assaults and Homicides

Risk Factors (Contd)

OSHAs Commitment (contd)

Occupational Safety and Health Act

Violence Prevention Program Elements

Hazard Prevention and Control Training Evaluation

- police - landlords - employer associations

Worksite Hazard Analysis

Hazard Prevention and Control

Door detectors, buzzers Alarms Bullet resistant barriers

Administrative and Work Practice Controls

Administrative and Work Practice Controls

Post Incident Response

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