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The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines workplace violence as any physical assault, threatening behavior or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting. Establishing a program to address violent crime in the workplace is an important way of helping to keep employees safe from such behaviors. Knowing a workplace has policies and procedures in place to guard against threats to employee safety also helps to create a more comfortable and productive environment.
Establishing a Crime Prevention Program
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) indicated workplace murders are the leading killer of female employees and the second-leading killer of male employees. The service sector, which includes retail establishments, police and security services, and limousine and taxi services, accounts for more than half of workplace homicides and 85% of non-fatal workplace assaults. Implementing a violent crime prevention program can dramatically reduce incidents in the workplace.
Here are some tips organizations should use as they address violent crime:
- Be aware of customers or other strangers — if anyone makes you uncomfortable, inform security or management immediately.
- Identify at least two exit routes from each room, if possible, and be able to find them in the dark.
- Use caution with deliveries and pickups — anyone making a delivery to your workplace should be properly identified.
- Have multiple employees on duty during high-risk periods (typically 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.).
- Don’t keep more cash on hand than is needed to do business.
- Install drop safes and have signs in obvious places that say drop safes are used.
- Work with local police to give employees and guests more security.
Want to know more?
For more information on preventing violent crime in your workplace, and for other helpful safety tools and tips, visit www.accidentfund.com/worksafe. You can also visit our crime prevention site by clicking here.
