OSHA environment

Occupational Safety and Health Association
U.S. Department of Labor

Summary from "Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Workers"
OSHA 3148-01R 2004

Recommendations: Minimizing environmental risks

Engineering controls remove the hazard from the workplace or create a barrier between the worker and the hazard. There are several measures that can effectively prevent or control workplace hazards. The selection of any measure, of course, should be based on the hazards identified in the workplace security analysis of each facility.

Among other options, employers may choose to:

Assess any plans for new construction or physical changes to the facility or workplace to eliminate or reduce security hazards.
Install and regularly maintain alarm systems and other security devices, panic buttons, hand-held alarms or noise devices, cellular phones and private channel radios where risk is apparent or may be anticipated. Arrange for a reliable response system when an alarm is triggered.
Provide metal detectors--installed or hand-held, where appropriate--to detect guns, knives or other weapons, according to the recommendations of security consultants.
Use a closed-circuit video recording for high-risk areas on a 24-hour basis. Public safety is a greater concern than privacy in these situations.
Place curved mirrors at hallway intersections or concealed areas.
Enclose nurses' stations and install deep service counters or bullet-resistant, shatter-proof glass in reception, triage and admitting areas or client service rooms.
Provide employee "safe rooms" for use during emergencies.
Establish "time-out" or seclusion areas with high ceilings without grids for patients who "act out" and establish separate rooms for criminal patients.
Provide comfortable client or patient waiting rooms designed to minimize stress.
Ensure that counseling or patient care rooms have two exits.
Lock doors to staff counseling rooms and treatment rooms to limit access.
Arrange furniture to prevent entrapment of staff.
Use minimal furniture in interview rooms or crisis treatment areas and ensure that it is lightweight, without sharp corners or edges and affixed to the floor, if possible. Limit the number of pictures, vases, ashtrays or other items that can be used as weapons.
Provide lockable and secure bathrooms for staff members separate from patient/client and visitor facilities.
Lock all unused doors to limit access, in accordance with local fire codes.
Install bright, effective lighting, both indoors and outdoors.
Replace burned-out lights and broken windows and locks.
Keep automobiles well-maintained if they are in use in the field.
Lock automobiles at all times.

To view the complete informational booklet online go to www.osha.gov
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