Workplace Violence
What is workplace violence?
Workplace violence is any type of assault that causes physical, psychological, or emotional harm. It includes, but is not limited to:
- hitting, striking
- using a weapon to shoot or stab
- threatening with a weapon
- rape or other sexual assault
- verbal threats
- swearing or shouting at an employee
- racial or sexual harassment
- intimidation
- stalking
Are UFCW members at higher risk of exposure to workplace violence than other workers?
Yes, UFCW members who work in the retail food industry and the health care industry suffer higher rates of injury from exposure to workplace violence than workers in other industries.
Why are health care workers and retail food workers at higher risk from workplace violence?
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have identified risk factors, or those aspects of a job, that may increase a workers’ risk for workplace assault. These factors include:
- contact with, or working with, the public
- exchange of money
- Availability of drugs and pharmaceutics in hospitals, drug stores and food stores, health clinics, etc.
- working alone late at night or in the early morning
- short staffing such as occurs in health care facilities
- long waits for services by patients, customers, or clients leading to client frustration
How has OSHA addressed the hazard of workplace violence?
OSHA has not issued standards that can be used to cite employers for exposing workers to this workplace hazard. However, OSHA has issued guidelines and recommendations.
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In 1996, OSHA issued “Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health care and Social Services Workers"
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In 1998, OSHA issued “Recommendations for Workplace violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments,”
Both sets of guidelines are voluntary in nature, and recommend that employers implement workplace violence prevention programs that include a management commitment to “deal effectively with workplace”, involve employees in implementing a program, conduct an analysis of the workplace for risk factors, implement control strategies to eliminate or reduce the risks, and provide reporting programs and post-incident response should a worker be a victim of workplace violence.
What can unions do to protect members from workplace violence?
UFCW Local unions should ask members if workplace violence is a hazard they face on the job. Because there is no OSHA standard that addresses this hazard, it is important for unions to negotiate good contract language that requires the employer to put in place workplace violence prevention programs. The UFCW OSH office can recommend language. Local unions can also train stewards and union members on this issue. The UFCW publication, “Preventing Violence in the Workplace,” is free to all UFCW members.
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