Series 2558: Constituent Correspondence, 2000-2003
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From: Humanitarian Resource Institute <news@humanitarian.net> To: "governors.staff.list@humanitarian.net".Net.GOV_MAIL Created: 3/8/2000 10:09 AM Subject: Workplace Violence: Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies Message: March 8, 2000 Contact: Stephen M. Apatow President, Humanitarian Resource Institute Eastern USA: (203) 668-0282 Western USA: (775) 884-4680 Internet: http://www.humanitarian.net Email: sma@humanitarian.net WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Division of Safety Research: The circumstances of workplace violence also vary and may include robbery-associated violence; violence by disgruntled clients, customers, patients, inmates, etc.; violence by coworkers, employees, or employers; and domestic violence that finds its way into the workplace. These circumstances all appear to be related to the level of violence in communities and in society in general. Several reasons exist for focusing specifically on workplace violence: Violence is a substantial contributor to death and injury on the job. NIOSH data indicate that homicide has become the second leading cause of occupational injury death, exceeded only by motor-vehicle-related deaths [Jenkins 1996]. Estimates of nonfatal workplace assaults vary dramatically, but a reasonable estimate from the National Crime Victimization Survey is that approximately 1 million people are assaulted while at work or on duty each year; this figure represents 15% of the acts of violence experienced by U.S. residents aged 12 or older [Bachman 1994]. Workplace violence is not distributed randomly across all workplaces but is clustered in particular occupational settings. More than half (56%) of workplace homicides occurred in retail trade and service industries. Homicide is the leading cause of death in these industries as well as in finance, insurance, and real estate. Eighty-five percent of nonfatal assaults in the workplace occur in service and retail trade industries [BLS 1994d]. As the U.S. economy continues to shift toward the service sectors, fatal and nonfatal workplace violence will be an increasingly important occupational safety and health issue. The risk of workplace violence is associated with specific workplace factors such as dealing with the public, the exchange of money, and the delivery of services or goods. Consequently, great potential exists for workplace-specific prevention efforts such as bullet-resistant barriers and enclosures in taxicabs, convenience stores, gas stations, emergency departments, and other areas where workers come in direct contact with the public; locked drop safes and other cash-handling procedures in retail establishments; and threat assessment policies in all types of workplaces. Long-term efforts to reduce the level of violence in U.S. society must address a variety of social issues such as education, poverty, and environmental justice. However, short-term efforts must address the pervasive nature of violence in our society and the need to protect workers. We cannot wait to address workplace violence as a social issue alone but must take immediate action to address it as a serious occupational safety issue. For additional resource information on Workplace Violence, Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies, visit: http://www.humanitarian.net/challenges.html - Attachment Filename: C:\archives\governor\mail\Governor Musgrove\_attach\Workplace Violence_ Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies\Mime.822
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