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Homicide is now the fourth leading work-related cause of death in the United States.  The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has found that homicide accounts for 12% of job-related deaths.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that homicide was the leading cause of death for women at work, accounting for 42% of on-the-job fatalities. .

According to studies by the National Safe Workplace Institute in Chicago, the most dramatically increasing type of workplace violence is employer-directed.  Until recently, there was an average of one employer-directed homicide per month in the United States, however that has escalated to an average of five or six monthly.  Workplace violence is identified by the following types:
  1. Employer directed - violence against workplace authority: supervisor, manager, director.
  2. Domestic directed - partner or would be partner engages in violence against the object of his or her affections.
  3. Property directed - acts against any property that the company/employer owns.
  4. Commercial directed - an employee participates in events against the company that can include theft of money or property and may also involve violence.
Workplace Violence Preventive Measures
  1. Be aware of the warning signs of violence
  2. Mentally prepare for "what if" situations
  3. Understand company procedures about violent situations
  4. Be aware of weapons brought into the workplace
  5. Take all threats seriously
  6. Alert management immediately if any of the above occur
Warning Signs of Workplace Violence

STAGE 1
  • Unusual behavior changes
  • Uncooperative with direct supervisor on a regular basis
  • Curse profusely
  • Argues with coworkers constantly
  • Spreads gossip and rumors deliberately to harm others
  • Unwanted sexual remarks
  • Hostile toward customers or coworkers
  • Irritability and anxiety escalates
  • Sleep disturbances are mentioned on the job
    •  
    STAGE 2
  • Plays the role of a victim
  • Writes violent or sexual notes to other employees or management
  • Verbalizes desires to harm coworkers or employer
  • Sabotages equipment or steals property
  • Disregards company policies and procedures
  • Levels of arguments or altercations increase with all personnel
  • Accidents increase; either physical or traffic-related
  • Noted decrease in interest and confidence in work
    •  
    STAGE 3
  • Intense anger is the frequent emotion displayed.  It results in:
  • Depression or withdrawal
  • Property destruction
  • Physical fighting
  • Suicidal threats
  • Use of weapons to harm others

    • What You Can Do At Work
    1. Treat each other with respect
    2. Get to know the people around you and agree to look out for each other
    3. Look intently for how everyone is doing
    4. Improve communication throughout your company
    5. Improve working conditions by offering suggestions for safety
    6. Notify management of any suspicious activities
    7. Watch for the warning signs of violence
    8. Encourage each other to be alert for danger signals in coworkers
    9. Promote workplace integrity between all employees
    10. Listen for verbal intimidation on the job
    11. Watch for psychological abuse on the job between employees
    12. Be aware of behavioral pattern changes in fellow workers
    13. Become more responsive to each other
    Awareness is the first step in preventing
    workplace violence.
    BE PROACTIVE.