Workplace ViolenceWhat’s Your Safety Temperature?

Did you know?

• Violence is the 2nd leading cause of death in the workplace

• Healthcare workers have the highest rate of nonfatal assaults among all occupations

• Nurses are three times more likely to experience workplace violence than any other profession

• Most violent acts go unreported

Today’s Objectives

• Define workplace violence

• Provide examples of healthcare workplace violence

• Understand the risk factors to violence

• Learn violenceprevention strategies

What is workplace violence?

• NIOSH defines it as “violent acts (including physical assaults and threats of assaults) directed toward persons at work or on duty”

Examples of workplace violence

• Threats– verbal– body language– written

• Physical Assaults– hitting/slapping– beating/kicking– rape– homicide

What are the risk factors for violence in healthcare?

• Working closely with patients

• Working when understaffed– Less patient attention– Increased staff frustration

• Overcrowded, uncomfortable waiting rooms– Agitated family and visitors

• Working alone– Opportunities for attack

by patients and co-workers

• Lack of staff training

What can you do?

Watch For Signals of Impending Violence Diffuse Anger Stay Alert

• Verbally expressed anger or frustration

• Threatening gestures

• Signs of substance abuse

• Presence of a weapon

• Present a calm and caring attitude

• Don’t match threats• Don’t give orders• Acknowledge

person’s feelings• Avoid behaviors

that might be interpreted as aggressive

• Evaluate situation• Stay on guard• Don’t isolate

yourself• Keep an open path

for exiting• Remove yourself

when necessary• Call for security

SAFETY FIRST

Workplace ViolenceWhat’s Your Safety Temperature?