Editor’s Message
As 2014 ends, I am haunted by the thought that the state of workplace violence could get worst. Of course, the good news is that overall
workplace homicides continue to fall, but I wonder if this is a red herring that is alluring many into thinking most of our work is done. The naked truth is that overall workplace violence incidents including bullying, non- fatal assaults and suicides are increasing.
I thought that Sandy Hook was going to be the watershed event that finally put workplace violence on the table as a national issue that warranted the highest level of attention. While the horrific event certainly bought heighten attention to school violence, triggered a national debate about guns, mental illness and positive movement in enhancing school security I am left with this empty feeling that we have missed the mark.
To add, insult to injury, we waste time arguing over whether an incident is a terrorist attack or a workplace violence incident. Yes, I understand that the nature of the event determines the benefits victims and their families may be eligible to receive, but in my mind, that has nothing to do with workplace violence. That is a bureaucracy and administrative issue that serves as a further distraction. Okay enough of my rant.
In this issue you will see two articles on a subject I have been talking about for the last ten years – zero tolerance is a big hobgoblin for schools and workplaces. It‘s a reactionary approach that does not address the true issue of workplace violence prevention - injury prevention. And, guess what, injury prevention is the mantra of safety which is ultimately what workplace violence prevention is about. With this thought in mind be sure to read the article: The Holy Grail of Safety: A Single, All-Encompassing Safety Leading Indicator which identifies a method for predicting more than 70% of injuries. If we can apply this learning to workplace violence prevention we could save many lives.
Thanks again for joining us this month, for subscribing this year and I wish you a very happy and of course, safe, New Year!.
Barry
Milliken's 9 Immutable Keys to Safety
We Must Start with Safety. This is a proven methodology necessary for any organization to achieve world-class safety performance. Not many leaders today are talking about safety as a strategic lever. And the government does not trust organizations to embrace safety, so they legislate things we should do and audit us for compliance.
I propose that safety should be any CEOs first concern. Not only is safety the right thing to do, it makes good business sense.
Consider this:
U.S. employers pay over $50 billion per year in direct workers' compensation costs.
Each prevented lost-time injury or illness saves $37,500.
Investors increasingly use workplace safety and health measures to screen underperforming stocks. In a recent survey of several hundred top CFOs, 60% reported that each $1 invested in injury prevention returned $2 or more, and over 40% said productivity was the greatest benefit of an effective workplace safety program.
Source:
www.industryweek.com Read more
DECISIONPOINT
This column is designed to help sharpen your judgment in providing valuable advice regarding how to handle incidents of aggression.
Does the law allow a government agency to enforce a “zero tolerance” workplace violence policy?
The Situation
A male security guard at the Pine Bluff Arsenal was fired after a brief physical confrontation with a female co- worker. The Plaintiff security guard had approached a female co-worker who was also a security guard, grabbed her collar and engaged in an argument that,
according to witnesses, lasted about one minute. Continued on page 25
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