1. Workplace Violence Prevention & The NYS WPV Act
J. Brett Carruthers, CSP
Manager, Risk Services
New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal

2. What is Workplace Violence?
Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the workplace
This includes, but is not limited to, municipal buildings and the surrounding perimeters, including the parking lots, field locations, clients’ homes and traveling to and from work assignments

3. Workplace Violence Includes:
Beatings
Stabbings
Suicides
Shootings
Rapes
Near-suicides
Psychological traumas
Threats or obscene phone calls
Intimidation
Harassment of any nature
Being followed, sworn or shouted at

4. Did You Know?
Supervisors or domestic partners are typically the victims of workplace violence.
Each week, an average of 20 people are murdered & over 28,800 are assaulted at work in the United States.
The Grim Reality of WPV.

5. EXAMPLES Verbal threats to inflict bodily harm Vague or Covert Threats
Attempting to cause physical harm
Striking, Pushing and other Aggressive Physical Acts against another person

6. TYPES OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
Violence by Strangers
Violence by Customers or Clients
Violence by Co-Workers
Violence by Relatives

7. EXTENT OF PROBLEM We live in an increasingly violent culture
Job-related homicides were the third leading cause of death for all workers.
The #1 cause of occupational death for female workers.
The #2 cause of occupational death for male workers.

8. ECONOMIC IMPACT 1.1 Million Lost Work Days $55 Million Lost Wages
Lost Productivity
Legal Expenses
Property Damage,
Public Relations
Increased Security

10. Risk Factors for Violent Behavior
Cruelty to Animals
High Risk Behavior(s)
Destruction of Property
Substance Abuse
Socially Isolated
Bullying
History of Victimization
History of Violence
Recent Experience of Loss, Shame or Humiliation

11. What is the NYS Workplace Violence Prevention Act?
On June 7, 2006 New York State passed legislation, Article 27-b of the Labor Law, that requires public employers to perform a workplace evaluation or risk assessment at each worksite and to develop and implement programs to prevent and minimize workplace violence.

12. WPV Program Requirements
Effective March 4, 2007
Risk Evaluation Determination
Written Workplace Violence Prevention Program
Employee Information
Employee Training

13. What is a Risk Evaluation?
A Risk Evaluation is an inspection or
examination of the workplace to find
existing or potential hazards (Risk
Factors) for workplace violence

14. RISK EVALUATION ELEMENTS
History of Past Incidents
PESH SH900 Injury and Illness Log
Employee Survey
Physical Workplace Security Building Surveys

15. RISK FACTORS Contact with the public
Working late night or early morning
Exchanging money with the public
Working alone or in small numbers
Uncontrolled access to the workplace
Having a dynamic workplace such as law enforcement, public health, mental health or social service employees

16. Written Workplace Violence Program Components
Board Adopted Policy Statement (20+ Employees)
Discussion of Workplace Risk Factors
Discussion of Workplace Violence Mitigation Methods
Workplace Violence Reporting Form and Procedure

17. Policy Statement Signed by the Board Management Commitment
Employee Involvement

18. EMPLOYEE INFORMATION Requirement of the WPV Prevention Program
Risk Factors in their workplaces
Location and availability of the written WPV Prevention Program

19. EMPLOYEE TRAINING Initially or Upon Assignment and Annually Thereafter
Review of the WPV Prevention Program
The importance of preparation in preventing violence

20. Employee Training & Education
The Act Itself
Your Workplace Violence Program
Risk Factors Identified
Location of Written Report
Protective Measures
Employer-initiated Protective Measures

21. HAZARD CONTROL METHODS
Make high risk areas more visible
Install appropriate perimeter lighting
Use drop safes
Decrease cash on hand
Change Deposit Times and Routes
Post signs – stating limited cash
Train employees in conflict resolution skills

22. ENGINEERING CONTROLS Visibility and Lighting Landscaping
Higher Counters
Video Surveillance
Height Markers
Door Intercoms
Alarms
Panic Buttons
Bullet Resistant Barriers

23. Administrative and Work Practice Controls
Develop Procedures for Opening and Closing
Limit Access to Remote Doors
Adopt Procedures for off-site work
Evaluate Staffing Needs for High Risk Locations/Times
Working Relationship With Law Enforcement

24. WPV Incident Reporting Procedure
All Incidents of Workplace Violence Must Be Reported
Need to Determine who will be notified and whether law enforcement needs to be involved.
Initial Reports may be made orally, then followed up with written report on Workplace Violence Reporting Form

25. Barriers to Reporting “That kind of thing doesn’t happen here.”
“They won’t come after me.”
“I can’t report this he’ll come after me.”
“I don’t want to get anyone into trouble.”
“When something happens people will know how to react.”
“People just snap!”
These are actual quotes from individuals involved
in incidents of WPV. Note the element of denial
and the giving the individual the “benefit of a
doubt”.

26. Incident Reporting Procedures
To be completed by appropriate Supervisor
Reviewed with Employees
Investigation completed
Confidentiality stressed
Retaliation stressed

27. Crisis Counseling Services
Can usually be arranged via the Municipality’s Employee Assistance Program at no additional charge.
Need to determine when these services will be activated.

28. Crisis Counseling Services Activation Example
Crisis Counseling will be provided after there have been workplace violence incidents involving:
Serious Physical Harm to 1 or more employees
A Hostage Situation involving 1 or more employees
An Employee Death

29. Additional Resources NYS DOL Safety and Health Website NIOSH
NIOSH
FBI

30. IN SUMMARY Risk Evaluation WPVPP (> 20 employees, must be written)
List of Risk Factors
Control Methods
Information and Training
Initial Assignment
Annually Thereafter

31. QUESTIONS