Emergency workplace violence

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The newly revised Chapter 13 addresses security issues in emergency departments, pediatric locations, infant care units, medication storage locations, cUnical labs, forensic patient treatments areas, and behavioral units. The chapter also addresses communications, data infrastructure, and security of medical/health records. Chapter 13 covers media relations, crowd control, employee practices, and security operations. Facilities must conduct a security vulnerability analysis and planning for the protection of people and resources beyond a disaster event. Security education should address customer relations, emergency procedures, use of force issues, importance of effective de-escalation of tense tactics, and restraint usage. The new code reqnires the development of policies, plans, and procedures to address hostage situations, bomb threats, workplace violence, disorderly conduct, and restraining order policies. 

Workplace Violence and Prevention in New Jersey Hospital Emergency Departments, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, describes the findings of an NIOSH-funded study on workplace violence among hospital emergency department workers. 

Workplace violence has emerged as a critical safety and health hazard. While workplace violence was once confined to a few specific industries, it now affects businesses of every size and t3rpe. cent studies have shown that workplace violence ... 

There are episodes in which disgruntled workers or terrorists commit sabotage that leads to emergencies. A growing cause of injury and death at work involves workplace violence. Typically, employees or former employees attack or kill other employees or supervisors. Some of the cases involve depression and other mental illnesses unknown to employers. See Case 29-4. 

OSHA offers additional resources for the general public and industry. On its Web site, readers can access guidelines for preventing workplace violence, information on how to prepare for emergencies in the workplace and deal with chemical hazards, and fact sheets and information on personal protective equipment. 

Policies will be created, and training will occur that will allow students and teachers to know what to do in emergency situations, such as a workplace violence emergency, which will reduce the number of fatalities and increase survival rates. Cohen, Allen, and Hyman (2006) include the following pointers ... 

Studies by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health show that employee training and hazard analyses can reduce the incidence of workplace violence. Using entrance door detectors or buzzer systems can help minimize risk in retail establishments and providing adequately trained staff, alarms and employee safe rooms to use during emergencies can do the same in healthcare settings. 

The cornerstone of an effective workplace security plan is appropriate training of aU anployees, supervisors, and managers. Employers with employees at risk of workplace violence mnst edncate them about the risk factors associated with the various types of workplace violence and provide appropriate training in crime awareness, assault and rape prevention, and defusing hostile sitna-tions. In addition, employers must instruct their employees about the steps to be taken during an emergency incident. 

Effective security management to prevent all three types of workplace violence events also includes postevent measures such as emergency medical care and debriefing employees about the incident. After a workplace assault occurs, employers should provide postevent trauma counseling to those who desire such intervention to reduce the short- and long-term physical and emotional effects of the incident. 

Are there emergency procedures to handle cases of workplace violence Are emergency telephone numbers posted ... 

Emergency response plans (ERPs) are nothing new to chemical industries, since many have developed ERPs to deal with natural disasters, accidents, violence in the workplace, civil unrest, and so on. Because chemical industries are a vital part and ingredient of our way of life, it has been prudent for chemical industries to develop ERPs in order to help ensure the continuous flow of water to the community. However, many chemical industry ERPs developed prior to 9/11 do not explicitly deal with terrorist threats, such as intentional fire, explosion, or contamination. Recently, the U.S. Congress and federal regulators have required chemical industries to prepare or revise, as necessary, an ERP to reflect the findings of their vulnerability assessment and to address terrorist threats. 

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