OSHA mgmt

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: Management commitment and employee involvement

Management commitment, including the endorsement and visible involvement of top management, provides the motivation and resources to effectively deal with workplace violence. This commitment should include:

Demonstrating organizational concern for employee emotional and physical safety and health
Exhibiting equal commitment to the safety and health of workers and patients/clients
Assigning responsibility for the various aspects of the workplace violence prevention program to ensure that all managers, supervisors and employees understand their obligations
Allocating appropriate authority and resources to all responsible parties
Maintaining a system of accountability for involved managers, supervisors and employees
Establishing a comprehensive program of medical and psychological counseling and debriefing for employees experiencing or witnessing assaults or other violent incidents
Supporting and implementing appropriate recommendations from safety and health committees

Employee involvement should include:

Understanding and complying with the workplace violence prevention program and other safety and security measures
Participating in employee complaint or suggestion procedures covering safety and security concerns
Reporting violent incidents promptly and accurately
Participating in safety and health committees or teams that receive reports of violent incidents or security problems, make facility inspections and respond with recommendations for corrective strategies
Taking part in a continuing education program that covers techniques to recognize escalating agitation, assaultive behavior or criminal intent and discusses appropriate responses

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