16/2/2017 Cal/OSHAGuidelinsforWorkplaceSecurity

Cal/OSHA Cal/OSHAGuidelinesforWorkplaceSecurity

Cal/OSHAGuidelinesforWorkplaceSecurity

Revised:30Marchl995

INTRODUCTION
WorkplacesafetyandhealthhazardsaffectingCaliforniaemployeeshavetraditionallybeenviewedasarisingfromunsafeworkpractices,hazardousindustrialconditions,
orexposurestoharmfulchemical,biologicorphysicalagents,notfromviolentactscommittedbyotherhumanbeings.Recently,though,employees,aswellas
supervisorsandmanagers,havebecomealltoofrequentvictimsofassaultsorotherviolentactsintheworkplacewhichentailasubstantialriskofphysicaloremotional
harm.Manyoftheseassaultsresultinfatalinjury,butanevengreaternumberresultinnonfatalinjury,orinthethreatofinjury,whichcanleadtomedicaltreatment,
missedwork,lostwagesanddecreasedproductivity.

Asingleexplanationfortheincreaseinworkplaceviolenceisnotreadilyavailable.Someepisodesofworkplaceviolence,likerobberiesofsmallretailestablishments,
seemrelatedtothelargersocietalproblemsofcrimeandsubstanceabuse.Otherepisodesseemtoarisemorespecificallyfromemploymentrelatedproblems.

Whatcanbedonetopreventworkplaceviolence?Anypreventivemeasuremustbebasedonathoroughunderstandingoftheriskfactorsassociatedwiththevarious
typesofworkplaceviolence.And,eventhoughourunderstandingofthefactorswhichleadtoworkplaceviolenceisnotperfect,sufficientinformationisavailablewhich,if
utilizedeffectively,canreducetheriskofworkplaceviolence.However,strongmanagementcommitment,andthedaytodayinvolvementofmanagers,supervisors,
employeesandlaborunions,isrequiredtoreducetheriskofworkplaceviolence.

Cal/OSHAGuidelinesforWorkplaceSecurityareaproductofabroadpublicadvisoryprocesswhichwasinitiatedataConferenceonWorkplaceSecurityheldinLos
AngelesinAprilofl994andcontinuedataSecondConferenceheldinSanFranciscoinNovemberof1994.

Workplaceviolencehasbecomeaseriousoccupationalhealthproblemrequiringthecombinedeffortsofemployers,employees,laborunions,government,academic
researchersandsecurityprofessionals.Theproblemcannotbesolvedbygovernmentalone.

TheseGuidelinesforWorkplaceSecurityaredesignedtoprovideinformationandguidanceaboutworkplacesecurityissuestoCaliforniaemployersandemployeesas
wellastoCal/OSHApersonnel.Cal/OSHAwelcomesallcommentsregardingtheGuidelinesandplanstorevisetheGuidelinesonaperiodicbasisasmoreinformation
aboutworkplaceviolenceriskfactorsandpreventivemeasuresbecomesavailable.

SCOPEOFTHEWORKPLACEVIOLENCEPROBLEM
Thescopeoftheworkplaceviolenceproblemcanbedefinedinanumberofdifferentwaysdependingonthenatureoftheinjury.Oneimportantdistinctioninvolvesthose
workplaceassaultswhichresultinfatalinjuryandthosewhichresultinnonfatalinjury.Thescopeoftheworkplaceviolenceproblemalsoincludesthethreatofinjury,i.e.,
anexpressionofanintentiontodophysicalharm.

I.FatalInjury
A.Statistics
WhilethetotalnumberofworkplacefatalitieshasdeclinedoverthepastdecadeinCalifornia,thenumberofdeathsresultingfromassaultsandotherviolent
actshassignificantlyincreasedwhileothermajorcategoriesofoccupationalfatalitieshavedecreased.Infact,datafromtheCaliforniaCensusofFatal
OccupationalInjuriesandIllnesses(CFOI),compiledbytheDivisionofLaborStatisticsandResearch(DLSR),indicatethatthecategoryofassaultsand
violentacts(madeupofhomicidesandsuicides)nowaccountsformoreworkplacefatalitiesthanthecombinednumberoffatalitiesduetothemore
traditionalcausesofworkplacedeath,suchasfalls,contactwithobjectsandequipment,andexposuretoharmfulsubstancesorenvironments.

Datafroml992indicatethattheleadingcauseofoccupationalfatalitieswastransportationaccidentswhichresultedin254deaths,or39.1%ofthetotal
numberof649fatalities.Assaultsandviolentactswerethesecondleadingcauseoffataloccupationalinjuriesinl992with197deathsor30.3%oftotal
fatalities.Inthatyearthesubcategoryofworkplacehomicidesaccountedfor163deathsor24.1%ofthetotalfatalities.SeetheTablebelow.

NUMBERANDPERCENTDISTRIBUTIONOF
FATALOCCUPATIONALINJURIES
byeventorexposure,California,199293*

1993 1992

Eventor Eventor
ExposurePercentExposurePercent
Number Number

Totals 652 100.0 649 100.0

Assaultsandviolentacts 243 37.3 197 30.4

Homicides 204 31.3 163 25.1

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Shooting 170 26.1 138 21.3

Stabbing 13 2.0 12 1.8

Selfinflictedinjury 37 5.7 34 5.2

Transportationaccidents 239 36.7 254 39.1

Highwayaccident 130 19.9 136 21.0

Collisionbetweenvehicles,
81 12.4 74 11.4
mobileequipment

Noncollisionaccident 42 6.4 38 5.9

Nonhighwayaccident,except
28 4.3 18 2.8
rail,air,water

Noncollisionaccident 24 3.7 16 2.5

Pedestrian,nonpassengerstruck
37 5.7 45 6.9
byvehicle,mobileequipment

Aircraftaccident 37 5.7 50 7.7

Contactwithobjectsand
55 8.4 73 11.2
equipment

Struckbyobject 29 4.4 35 5.4

Struckbyfallingobject 21 3.2 22 3.4

Caughtinorcompressedby
19 2.9 33 5.1
equipmentorobjects

Caughtinorcrushedin
6 0.9 5 0.8
collapsingstructure/materials

Falls 50 7.7 56 8.6

Falltolowerlevel 39 6.0 44 6.8

Fallonsamelevel 8 1.2 6 0.9

Exposuretoharmfulsubstances
44 6.7 57 8.8
orenvironments

Contactwithelectriccurrent 26 4.0 31 4.8

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Exposuretocaustic,noxious,
10 1.5 15 2.3
orallergenicsubstances

Oxygendeficiency 8 1.2 9 1.4

Drowning,submersion 5 0.8 9 1.4

Firesandexplosions 19 2.9 10 1.5

*Previouscountshavebeenrevisedtoinclude
casestabulatedafterthecutoffdate.
Notes:Totalsincludedataforsubcategoriesnotshownseparately.
Percentagesmaynotaddtototalsduetorounding.
Source:CaliforniaDivisionofLaborStatisticsandResearch,incooperationwiththeU.S.BureauofLaborStatistics,CensusofFatalOccupationalInjuries.
March,1995

Inl993,thecategoryofassaultsandviolentactsbecametheleadingcauseofoccupationalfatalitiesinCalifornia.Thenumberofassaultsandviolentacts
increased23.3%,from197inl992to243inl993.Occupationalfatalitiesduetoallothermajorcauses(exceptfiresandexplosions)decreasedfroml992to
l993.

Mostoftheincreaseinfatalassaultsandviolentactswasduetoariseinthenumberofworkplacehomicides(thesubcategoryofselfinflictedinjury,or
suicides,increasedbyonlythreefatalitiesbetween1992and1993).Thus,injustoneyearthenumberofworkplacehomicidesincreased25.1%,from163
deathsinl992to204deathsinl993andnowrepresent31.2%ofthetotalfatalitiesup7.1%from24.1%in1992.

Californianowjoinsagrowinglistofstates,andtheDistrictofColumbia,inwhichassaultandviolentactsrepresentstheleadingcauseofdeathinthe
workplace.

Theshiftfromtraditionalworkplacehazardstohomicidesastheleadingcauseofworkplacefatalitiesdemandsthatfederalandstateoccupationalsafetyand
healthprogramsjoinwithothergovernmentagencies,thepublichealthcommunity,employers,laborunionsandemployees,andworkplacesecurity
professionalstodevelopstrategiestopreventworkplaceviolence.

B.HighRiskOccupationsandWorkplacesforFatalAssault
Workplacefatalitydataconsistentlydemonstratethattheoccupationwiththehighestrateofworkplacehomicidesisthatoftaxicabdriver(SICCode4121).
TheNationalInstituteforOccupationalSafetyandHealth(NIOSH)determinedthatfroml980throughl989taxicabestablishmentshadanoccupational
homiciderateof26.9per100,000workersperyear.

Otherhighriskoccupations/workplacesinclude:liquorstores(SICCode5921),witharateof8.0gasstations(SICCode5541),witharateof5.6detective
orprotectiveservices(SICCode7381),witharateof5.0justiceandpublicorderestablishments(SICCode9221),witharateof3.4groceryorconvenience
foodstores(SICCode5411),witharateof3.2jewelrystores(SICCode5944),witharateof3.2smallhotelsormotels(SICCode7011),witharateof1.5,
andeating/drinkingestablishments(SICCodes5812and5813),witharateof1.5.

C.SelfEmployed
Inl993,71,or34.8%,homicidefatalitiesinvolvedindividualswhowereindependentcontractors,selfemployedownersoroperatorsorwhowereassistingin
afamilybusinessatthetimeofthefatalassault.Selfemployedindividualsareatsignificantriskoffatalworkplaceassault.Infact,in1993,thesinglelargest
causeofworkplacedeathforselfemployedpersonswasassault71,or48.3%,ofthe147workplacefatalitiesamongselfemployedindividualsweredueto
assault.

Cal/OSHAiscommittedtoreducingworkplaceassaultsinallatriskoccupations,includingoccupationslargelycomposedofthosewhoareselfemployedor
whoassistinafamilybusiness.Cal/OSHAwillworkwithpublichealthandlawenforcementagenciestodevelopandpromotestrategiestoreducetheriskof
homicideinthesenonemployeepopulations.Inaddition,Cal/OSHAwillworkwithsmallbusinessassociations,taxicabdriverassociationsandother
representativesofatriskindependentcontractorsorretailowner/operatorstoreducetheirriskofworkplacehomicide.

D.Women
Thedemographicprofileofvictimsoffatalworkplaceassaultsindicatethatthemajorityaremale.However,eventhoughtheoverallfatalworkplaceinjuryrate
forwomenissubstantiallylowerthanitisformen,homicidesrepresenttheleadingcauseofdeathforwomenintheworkplace.

Inl993,30ofthe62occupationalfatalitiesinwomen,or48.4%,weretheresultofworkplacehomicide.Incontrast,only29.5%(174of590)ofoccupational
fatalitiesinmenweretheresultofworkplacehomicide.

II.NonfatalInjuryandThreatofInjury
Homicideisonlypartoftheworkplaceviolenceproblemassaultswhichresultinnonfatalinjury,orinthethreatofharm,aremorecommonthanthosewhichresult
infatalinjury.However,muchlessdataisavailableabouttheoccurrenceofworkplaceassaultswhichresultinnonfatalinjuryandtheoccurrenceofthreats.

EffortsarenowbeingmadeinCaliforniaandotherstatestodeterminetheprevalenceofnonfatalworkplaceassaultsandthreatsandthespecificoccupationsat
riskforsuchassaultsandthreats.Thefollowingsurveystudiesindicatethatnonfatalworkplaceassaultsandthreatsgreatlyoutnumberfatalassaults.

A.NationalCrimeVictimizationSurvey
TheNationalCrimeVictimizationSurvey,conductedbytheBureauofJusticeStatisticsoftheU.S.DepartmentofJustice,canbeusedtoestimatethe
occurrenceofworkplaceassaultswhichresultinnonfatalinjuries.Inl992,theNationalCrimeVictimizationSurveyfoundthatapproximately670,000American
workerswereassaulted(simpleassault,aggravatedassault,robberyorrape)whileatworkoronduty,whichrepresentsapproximately11%ofallviolent
crimesintheUnitedStates.

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B.NorthwesternLifeInsuranceCompanySurvey
Arandomsampleof600fulltimeemployeesperformedbytheNorthwesternLifeInsuranceCompanyinl992indicatedthat3%ofemployeeshavebeen
physicallyattackedintheworkplace,7%beenthreatenedand19%havebeenharassed.WhenextrapolatedtotheAmericanworkingpopulation,these
resultsindicatethat2millionemployeeshavebeenphysicallyattacked,6millionhavebeenthreatenedand16millionhavebeenharassed.Inthe
NorthwesternLifeStudy,manyoftheemployeeswhoexperiencedinjury,orthreatofinjury,experiencedpsychologictraumaandstressrelateddisorders
aftertheeventwhichdisruptedtheirworkandhomelife.

C.SocietyofHumanResourceManagementSurvey
Asurveyof480membersoftheSocietyofHumanResourceManagement(SHRM)foundthatathirdoftherespondentssaidtheirworkplaceshave
experiencedviolentactsinthepastfiveyears,suchasfistfights(75%),shootings(17%),stabbings(7%)orsexualassaults(6%).

D.WashingtonStatePsychiatricFacilitiesSurvey
Al992studyofassaultsonstaffintwoWashingtonStatepsychiatricfacilitiesrevealedthat50%ofallworkers'compensationclaimsfromhospitalemployees
wererelatedtoinjuriesfromworkplaceassaults.

TheexperienceinCaliforniaissimilartothatofWashingtonStateandledCal/OSHAtodevelopandissuein1993separateGuidelinesforSecurityandSafety
ofHealthCareandCommunityServiceWorkers.

Thus,eventhoughprecisequantificationofthescopeofnonfatalworkplaceviolenceandthreatsisnotpossibleatthepresenttime,availablesurveydata
indicatetheexistenceofasubstantialandwidespreadproblem.

TYPESOFWORKPLACEVIOLENCEEVENTS
WhenoneexaminesthecircumstancesassociatedwithworkplaceassaultsinCalifornia,workplaceviolenceeventscanbedividedintothreemajortypes.However,itis
importanttokeepinmindthataparticularoccupationorworkplacemaybesubjecttomorethanonetype.Inallthreetypesofworkplaceviolenceevents,ahumanbeing,
or"hazardousagent,"commitstheassault.

InTypeI,theagenthasnolegitimatebusinessrelationshiptotheworkplaceandusuallyenterstheaffectedworkplacetocommitarobberyorothercriminalact.

InTypeII,theagentiseithertherecipient,ortheobject,ofaserviceprovidedbytheaffectedworkplaceorthevictim,e.g.,theassailantisacurrentorformerclient,
patient,customer,passenger,criminalsuspect,inmateorprisoner.

InTypeIII,theagenthassomeemploymentrelatedinvolvementwiththeaffectedworkplace.Usuallythisinvolvesanassaultbyacurrentorformeremployee,supervisor
ormanagerbyacurrent/formerspouseorloverarelativeorfriendorsomeotherpersonwhohasadisputewithanemployeeoftheaffectedworkplace.

Thecharacteristicsoftheestablishmentsaffected,theprofileandmotiveoftheagentorassailant,andthepreventivemeasuresdifferforeachofthethreemajortypesof
workplaceviolenceevents.

CharacteristicsofTypeIEvents

InCalifornia,themajority(60%)ofworkplacehomicidesinvolveapersonenteringasmalllatenightretailestablishment,e.g.,liquorstore,gasstationora
conveniencefoodstore,tocommitarobbery.Duringthecommissionoftherobbery,anemployeeor,morelikely,theproprietoriskilledorinjured.

Employeesorproprietorswhohavefacetofacecontactandexchangemoneywiththepublic,worklateatnightandintotheearlymorninghours,andworkaloneor
inverysmallnumbersareatgreatestriskofaTypeIevent.Whiletheassailantmayfeignbeingacustomerasapretexttoentertheestablishment,heorshehas
nolegitimatebusinessrelationshiptotheworkplace.

Retailrobberiesresultinginworkplaceassaultsusuallyoccurbetweenthehoursofelevenintheeveningandsixinthemorningandaremostoftenarmed(gunor
knife)robberies.Inadditiontoemployeeswhoareclassifiedascashiers,manyvictimsoflatenightretailviolencearesupervisorsorproprietorswhoareattacked
whilelockinguptheirestablishmentforthenightandjanitorswhoareassaultedwhilecleaningtheestablishmentafteritisclosed.

Otheroccupations/workplacesmaybeatriskofaTypeIevent.Forinstance,assaultsontaxicabdriversalsoinvolveapatternsimilartoretailrobberies.Theattack
islikelytoinvolveanassailantpretendingtobeabonafidepassengerduringthelatenightorearlymorninghourswhoentersthetaxicabtorobthedriverofhisor
herfarereceipts.TypeIeventsalsoinvolveassaultsonsecurityguards.Ithasbeenknownforsometimethatsecurityguardsareatriskofassaultwhenprotecting
valuablepropertywhichistheobjectofanarmedrobbery.

I.CharacteristicsofTypeIIEvents
ATypeIIworkplaceviolenceeventinvolvesanassaultbysomeonewhoiseithertherecipientortheobjectofaserviceprovidedbytheaffectedworkplaceorthe
victim.

EventhoughTypeIeventsrepresentthemostcommontypeoffataleventinCalifornia,fatalTypeIIeventsinvolvingvictimswhoprovideservicestothepublicare
alsoincreasing.In1993,fatalTypeIIeventsaccountedfor30%ofworkplacehomicides.Further,whenmoreoccupationspecificdataaboutnonfatalworkplace
violencebecomesavailable,nonfatalTypeIIeventsinvolvingassaultstoserviceproviders,especiallytohealthcareproviders,mayrepresentthemostprevalent
categoryofworkplaceviolenceresultinginphysicalinjury.

TypeIIeventsinvolvefatalornonfatalinjuriestoindividualswhoprovideservicestothepublic.Theseeventsinvolveassaultsonpublicsafetyandcorrectional
personnel,municipalbusorrailwaydrivers,healthcareandsocialserviceproviders,teachers,salespersonnel,andotherpublicorprivateservicesector
employeeswhoprovideprofessional,publicsafety,administrativeorbusinessservicestothepublic.

Lawenforcementpersonnelareatriskofassaultfromthe"object"ofpublicsafetyservices(suspiciouspersons,detainees,orarrestees)whenmakingarrests,
conductingdrugraids,respondingtocallsinvolvingrobberiesordomesticdisputes,servingwarrantsandevictionnoticesandinvestigatingsuspiciousvehicles.
Similarly,correctionalpersonnelareatriskofassaultwhileguardingortransportingjailorprisoninmates.

Ofincreasingconcern,though,areTypeIIeventsinvolvingassaultstothefollowingtypesofserviceproviders:

1.Medicalcareprovidersinacutecarehospitals,longtermcarefacilities,outpatientclinicsandhomehealthagencies
2.Mentalhealthandpsychiatriccareprovidersininpatientfacilities,outpatientclinics,residentialsitesandhomehealthagencies
3.Alcoholanddrugtreatmentproviders
4.Socialwelfareserviceprovidersinunemploymentoffices,welfareeligibilityoffices,homelessshelters,probationoffices,andchildwelfareagencies

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5.Teaching,administrativeandsupportstaffinschoolswherestudentshaveahistoryofviolentbehaviorand
6.Othertypesofserviceproviders,e.g.,justicesystempersonnel,customerservicerepresentativesanddeliverypersonnel.
UnlikeTypeIeventswhichoftenrepresentirregularoccurrencesinthelifeofanyparticularatriskestablishment,TypeIIeventsoccuronadailybasisinmany
serviceestablishments,andthereforerepresentamorepervasiveriskformanyserviceproviders.

II.CharacteristicsofTypeIIIEvents
ATypeIIIworkplaceviolenceeventconsistsofanassaultbyanindividualwhohassomeemploymentrelatedinvolvementwiththeworkplace.Generally,aTypeIII
eventinvolvesathreatofviolence,oraphysicalactofviolenceresultinginafatalornonfatalinjury,toanemployee,supervisorormanageroftheaffected
workplacebythefollowingtypesofindividuals:

1.Acurrentorformeremployee,supervisorormanageror
2.Someotherpersonwhohasadisputewithanemployeeoftheaffectedworkplace,e.g.,current/formerspouseorlover,relative,friendoracquaintance.
3.TypeIIIeventsaccountforamuchsmallerproportionoffatalworkplaceinjuriesinCaliforniathandoTypesIandII.Forinstance,in1993,TypeIIIevents
accountedforonly10%ofworkplacehomicides.Nevertheless,TypeIIIfatalitiesoftenattractsignificantmediaattentionandareincorrectlycharacterizedby
manyasrepresenting"the"workplaceviolenceproblem.Infact,itistheirmediavisibilitywhichmakesthemappearmuchmorecommonthantheyactually
are.
4.Mostcommonly,theprimarytargetofaTypeIIIeventisacoemployee,asupervisorormanageroftheassailant.IncommittingaTypeIIIassault,an
individualmaybeseekingrevengeforwhatheorsheperceivesasunfairtreatmentbyacoemployee,asupervisororamanager.Increasingly,TypeIII
eventsinvolvedomesticorromanticdisputesinwhichanemployeeisthreatenedintheirworkplacebyanindividualwithwhomtheyhaveapersonal
relationshipoutsideofwork.
Atfirstglance,aTypeIIIassailant'sactionsmaydefyreasonableexplanation.Often,though,hisorheractionsaremotivatedbyperceiveddifficultiesinhisorher
relationshipwiththevictim,orwiththeaffectedworkplace,andbypsychosocialfactorswhicharepeculiartotheassailant.

Eventhoughincomplete,existingdataindicatethatthenumberofTypeIIIeventsresultinginnonfatalinjury,orinnophysicalinjuryatall,greatlyexceedsthe
numberoffatalTypeIIIevents.Indeed,themostprevalentTypeIIIeventmayinvolvethreatsandothertypesofverbalharassment.

III.MultipleTypeOccupations/Workplaces
Increasingly,someoccupationsandworkplacesareatriskofmorethanonetypeofworkplaceviolenceevent.

Hospitalemergencyrooms,inadditiontobeingatriskforTypeIIeventsinvolvingassaultsbypatients,arealsoatriskforTypeIevents.Forexample,gang
memberscanenterahospitalemergencyroomtodisruptthemedicalcareofarivalgangmemberwhosurvivedtheinitialattack.Intheprocess,emergencyroom
personnelcanbephysicallyharmed.

Similarly,retailestablishmentsatriskforTypeIevents,e.g.,conveniencestores,canalsobeatriskforTypeIIIevents.Forinstance,aconveniencestoreemployee
canbefatallyinjuredinthecourseofarobberybyanunknownassailant(TypeI),orasaresultofadisputewithaspouse/coemployee/acquaintance(TypeIII).

PREVENTIVEMEASURES
I.InitialAssessment
Manyworkplacesareatriskforworkplaceviolence,butcertainworkplacesarerecognizedtobeatsignificantlygreaterriskthanothers.Therefore,everyemployer
shouldperformaninitialassessmenttoidentifyworkplacesecurityfactorswhichhavebeenshowntocontributetotheriskofviolenceintheworkplace.Ifyouhave
oneormoreofthefollowingfactorspresentinyourworkplace,youshouldconsideryourworkplacetobeatpotentialriskofviolence:

1.Exchangeofmoney
2.Workingaloneatnightandduringearlymorninghours
3.Availabilityofvalueditems,e.g.,moneyandjewelry
4.Guardingmoneyorvaluablepropertyorpossessions
5.Performingpublicsafetyfunctionsinthecommunity
6.Workingwithpatients,clients,passengers,customersorstudentsknownorsuspectedtohaveahistoryofviolenceor
7.Employeeswithahistoryofassaultsorwhohaveexhibitedbelligerent,intimidatingorthreateningbehaviortoothers.
Thesearejustsomeofthemajorfactorsthatcontributetoworkplaceviolence.Ifyouhaveidentifiedoneormoreofthese,orotherrecognizedindicatorsofviolence
intheworkplace,thenyoushouldperformfurtherevaluation.

II.PreventionStrategiesforTypeIEvents
Tomanypeople,TypeIworkplaceviolenceappearstobepartofsociety's"crime"problem,andnotaworkplacesafetyandhealthproblematall.Underthisview,
theworkplaceisan"innocentbystander,"andthesolutiontotheprobleminvolvessocietalchanges,notoccupationalsafetyandhealthprinciples.

TheultimatesolutiontoTypeIeventsmayindeedinvolvesocietalchanges,butuntilsuchchangesoccuritisstilltheemployer'slegalresponsibilityunderCalifornia
lawtoprovideasafeandhealthfulplaceofemploymentfortheiremployees.SeeCaliforniaLaborCode6400.

EmployerswithemployeeswhoareknowntobeatriskforTypeIeventsarerequiredtoaddressworkplacesecurityhazardstosatisfytheregulatoryrequirementof
establishing,implementingandmaintaininganeffectiveInjuryandIllnessPrevention(IIP)Program.SeeTitle8,CaliforniaCodeofRegulations(CCR),3203.

ThefirststepinestablishingandimplementinganeffectiveworkplacesecuritycomponentofaIIPProgramisstrongmanagementcommitmenttoviolence
prevention.

EmployersatriskforTypeI(aswellasTypesIIandII)eventsmustincludeasapartoftheirestablishment'sIIPProgram:

1.Asystemforensuringthatemployeescomplywithsafeandhealthyworkpractices,includingensuringthatallemployees,includingsupervisorsand
managers,complywithworkpracticesdesignedtomaketheworkplacemoresecureanddonotengageinthreatsorphysicalactionswhichcreateasecurity
hazardtootheremployees,supervisorsormanagersintheworkplace,3203(a)(2).
2.Asystemforcommunicatingwithemployeesaboutworkplacesecurityhazards,includingameansthatemployeescanusetoinformtheemployerofsecurity
hazardsattheworksitewithoutfearofreprisal,3203(a)(3).

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3.Proceduresforidentifyingworkplacesecurityhazardsincludingscheduledperiodicinspectionstoidentifyunsafeconditionsandworkpracticeswheneverthe
employerismadeawareofaneworapreviouslyunrecognizedhazard,3203(a)(4)(C).
4.Proceduresforinvestigatingoccupationalinjuryorillnessarisingfromaworkplaceassaultorthreatofassault,3203(a)(5).
5.Proceduresforcorrectingunsafeconditions,workpracticesandworkprocedures,includingworkplacesecurityhazards,andwithattentiontoproceduresfor
protectingemployeesfromphysicalretaliationforreportingthreats,3203(a)(6).
6.Trainingandinstructionabouthowtorecognizeworkplacesecurityhazards,measurestopreventworkplaceassaultsandwhattodowhenanassaultoccurs,
includingemergencyactionandpostemergencyprocedures,3203(a)(7).
Thecornerstoneofaneffectiveworkplacesecurityplanisappropriatetrainingofallemployees,supervisorsandmanagers.Employerswithemployeesatriskfor
workplaceviolencemusteducatethemabouttheriskfactorsassociatedwiththevarioustypesofworkplaceviolenceandprovideappropriatetrainingincrime
awareness,assaultandrapepreventionanddefusinghostilesituations.Also,employersmustinstructtheiremployeesaboutwhatstepstotakeduringan
emergencyincident.

Employerswithemployeeswhoareknowntobeatriskoflatenightretailworkplaceviolencemustimplementeffectiveworkpracticesandappropriatephysical
securitymeasures.See,forexample,theLateNightRetailViolencePreventionChecklist(AppendixI).

Effectivesecuritymanagementtopreventallthreetypesofworkplaceviolenceeventsalsoincludesposteventmeasuressuchasemergencymedicalcareand
debriefingemployeesabouttheincident.Afteraworkplaceassaultoccurs,employersshouldprovideposteventtraumacounselingtothosewhodesiresuch
interventioninordertoreducetheshortandlongtermphysicalandemotionaleffectsoftheincident.

EmployersatriskforTypeIeventsareencouragedtouseasaresourceguideCal/OSHA'sModelInjuryandIllnessPreventionProgramforWorkplaceSecurity,a
copyofwhichisavailablefromanyCal/OSHAConsultationAreaOffice(seeCONSULTATIVEASSISTANCEFOREMPLOYERS).

III.PreventionStrategiesforTypeIIEvents
Anincreasingnumberoffatal,nonfatalassaultsandthreatsinvolveanemployeewhoisprovidingaservicetoaclient,patient,customer,passengerorothertypeof
servicerecipient.

Employerswhoprovideservicetorecipients,orservice"objects,"knownorsuspectedtohaveahistoryofviolencemustalsointegrateaneffectiveworkplace
securitycomponentintotheirIIPProgram.

AnimportantcomponentofaworkplacesecurityprogramforemployersatriskforTypeIIeventsissupervisorandemployeetraininginhowtoeffectivelydefuse
hostilesituationsinvolvingtheirclients,patients,customers,passengersandmembersofthegeneralpublictowhomtheymustprovideservices.

EmployersconcernedwithTypeIIeventsneedtobeawarethatthecontrolofphysicalaccessthroughworkplacedesignisalsoanimportantpreventivemeasure.
Thiscanincludecontrollingaccessintoandoutoftheworkplaceandfreedomofmovementwithintheworkplace,inadditiontoplacingbarriersbetweenclientsand
serviceproviders.Escaperoutescanalsobeacriticalcomponentofworkplacedesign.Incertainsituations,theinstallationofalarmsystemsor"panicbuttons"may
beanappropriatebackupmeasure.Establishinga"buddy"systemtobeusedinspecifiedemergencysituationsisoftenadvisableaswell.Thepresenceofsecurity
personnelshouldalsobeconsideredwhereappropriate.

EmployersatriskforTypeIIworkplaceviolenceeventsarealsoencouragedtouseasaresourceguideCal/OSHA'sModelInjuryandIllnessPreventionProgram
forWorkplaceSecurity,acopyofwhichisavailablefromanyCal/OSHAConsultationServiceAreaOffice(seeCONSULTATIVEASSISTANCEFOREMPLOYERS).

EmployerswithhealthcareandcommunityserviceemployeeswhoareatriskofworkplaceassaultareencouragedtoutilizeCal/OSHA'sGuidelinesforSecurityand
SafetyofHealthCareandCommunityServiceWorkerstoestablishandimplementaneffectiveworkplacesecuritycomponentintheirIIPProgram.Employerswho
wantacopyoftheGuidelinesforSecurityandSafetyofHealthCareandCommunityServiceWorkersshouldcontacttheirnearestConsultationServiceAreaOffice
(seeCONSULTATIVEASSISTANCEFOREMPLOYERS).

Employerswhooperatehospitalsshouldalsobeawarethatby1July1995,Californialawnowrequiresallhospitalslicensedpursuanttosubdivisions(a),(b),and
(f)ofCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode1250must(1)conductasecurityandsafetyassessment(2)usingtheassessment,developasecurityplanwith
measurestoprotectpersonnel,patients,andvisitorsfromaggressiveorviolentbehavior(3)trackincidentsofaggressiveorviolentbehaviorand(4)provideto
employeesregularlyassignedtotheemergencydepartmentsecurityeducationandtrainingonacontinuingbasis.SeeCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode
1257.7and1257.8.

IV.PreventionStrategiesforTypeIIIEvents
InaTypeIIIevent,theassailanthasanemploymentrelatedinvolvementwiththeworkplace.Usually,aTypeIIIeventinvolvesathreatofviolence,oraphysicalact
ofviolenceresultinginfatalornonfatalinjury,toanemployeeoftheaffectedworkplacebyacurrent/formeremployee,supervisorormanager,orbysomeother
personwhohasadisputewithanemployeeoftheaffectedworkplace,e.g.,acurrent/formerspouseorlover,relative,friendoracquaintance.

Employerswhohaveemployeeswithahistoryofassaultsorwhohaveexhibitedbelligerent,intimidatingorthreateningbehaviorintheworkplaceneedtoestablish
andimplementprocedurestorespondtoworkplacesecurityhazardswhentheyarepresentandtoprovidetrainingasnecessarytotheiremployees,supervisors
andmanagersinordertosatisfytheregulatoryrequirementofestablishing,implementingandmaintaininganeffectiveIIPProgram.

SinceTypeIIIeventsaremorecloselytiedtoemployeremployeerelationsthanareTypeIorIIevents,anemployer'sconsiderateandrespectfulmanagementof
hisorheremployeesrepresentsaneffectivestrategyforpreventingTypeIIIevents.Someworkplaceviolenceresearchershavepointedoutthatemployeractions
whichareperceivedbyanemployeetoplacehisorhercontinuingemploymentstatusinjeopardycanbetriggeringeventsforaworkplaceviolenceevent,e.g.,
layoffsorreductioninforceactionsanddisciplinaryactionssuchassuspensionsandterminations.Thus,whereactionssuchasthesearecontemplated,they
shouldbecarriedoutinamannerwhichisdesignedtominimizethepotentialforrelatedTypeIIIevents.

Somementalhealthprofessionalsbelievethatbelligerent,intimidatingorthreateningbehaviorbyanemployeeorsupervisorisanearlywarningsignofan
individual'spropensitytocommitaphysicalassaultinthefuture,andthatmonitoringandappropriatelyrespondingtosuchbehaviorisanecessarypartofeffective
prevention.

ManymanagementconsultantswhoadviseemployersaboutworkplaceviolencestressthattoeffectivelypreventTypeIIIeventsfromoccurring,employersneedto
establishaclearantiviolencemanagementpolicy,applythepolicyconsistentlyandfairlytoallemployees,includingsupervisorsandmanagers,andprovide
appropriatesupervisoryandemployeetraininginworkplaceviolenceprevention.

EmployersatriskforTypeIIIworkplaceviolenceeventsarealsoencouragedtouseasaresourceguideCal/OSHA'sModelInjuryandIllnessPreventionProgram
forWorkplaceSecurity,acopyofwhichisavailablefromanyCal/OSHAConsultationServiceAreaOffice(seeCONSULTATIVEASSISTANCEFOREMPLOYERS).

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Lastly,animportantsubsetofTypeIIIworkplaceviolenceeventsaffectwomendisproportionately.Domesticviolenceisnowspillingoverintotheworkplaceand
employersneedtotakeappropriateprecautionstoprotectatriskemployees.Forinstance,whenanemployeereportsthreatsfromanindividualwithwhomheor
shehas(orhad)apersonalrelationship,employersshouldtakeappropriateprecautionstoensurethesafetyofthethreatenedemployee,aswellasother
employeeswhoareinthezoneofdangerandwhomaybeharmedifaviolentincidentoccursintheworkplace.

Oneoption,recentlyprovidedbylawtoemployersin1994,istoseekatemporaryrestrainingorder(TRO)andaninjunctiononbehalfoftheaffectedemployee.Any
employermayseekaTRO/injunctiononbehalfofanemployeewhenheorshehassufferedunlawfulviolence(assault,batteryorstalkingasprohibitedinCalifornia
PenalCode646.9)oracrediblethreatofviolencereasonablylikelytobecarriedoutintheworkplace.SeeCaliforniaCivilProcedureCode527.8.

RECORDINGANDREPORTINGWORKPLACEVIOLENCE
Pursuantto8CCR14300through14400,manycategoriesofemployersarerequiredtorecordontheirOSHA200Logallfatalitiesandillnessesandspecified
injurieswhichoccurasaresultofworkplaceviolence.

Thoseinjurieswhicharerecordablearethosewhichresultinthefollowing:

1.Lossofconsciousness
2.Restrictionofworkormotion
3.Transfertoanotherjoborterminationofemploymentor
4.Medicaltreatmentbeyondfirstaid.

Workplaceviolenceincludesassaultswhichtakeplaceontheemployer'spremisesandatotherlocationswhereemployeesareengagedinworkrelatedactivitiesorare
presentasaconditionofemployment.

Employersmaybereluctanttorecordworkplacehomicides,andsomenonfatalassaults,becausetheyoftenrepresentcriminallawviolations.However,theemployer's
recordingofaninjuryorillnessdoesnotnecessarilyimplythattheemployeroremployeewasatfault,orthattheinjuryorillnessiscompensableunderworkers'
compensationorothersystems,orthataviolationofaTitle8SafetyOrderor,moreimportantly,aPenalCodesection,hasoccurred.

InadditiontohavingtoenterthecaseontheOSHA200Log,whenanemployerreceivesinformationthatarecordablecasehasoccurred,theemployerisrequiredto
prepareasupplementaryrecordforthatcase.TheCaliforniaEmployer'sReportofOccupationalInjuryorIllness(Form5020)isusuallyusedforthesupplementary
record,althoughanequivalentformmaybeused.Theemployerisrequiredtoretainthesupplementaryrecordattheestablishmentwheretheinjuredorillworkeris
employed.

Inaddition,employersarerequiredtofileanEmployer'sReportofOccupationalInjuryorIllnessforeveryoccupationalinjuryorillnesswiththeemployer'sworkers'
compensationinsurerorwiththeDivisionofLaborStatisticsandResearch(DLSR),iftheemployerisselfinsured.

Intheareaofworkplaceviolence,requirementspertainingtorecordabilityontheOSHA200Logarebroaderthan,andmustbedistinguishedfrom,requirements
pertainingtoreportabilityofeventstoCal/OSHA.SeeCaliforniaLaborCode6409.1.

Eventhoughemployersarerequiredtorecordfatalandnonfatalinjuriesandillnesswhicharecausedbyworkplaceviolence,andwhichmeettherecordability
requirementsdiscussedabove,therequirementforanemployertoreportthesamefatality,injuryorillnesstoCal/OSHAismorelimitedbystatute.

AccordingtoLaborCode6409.1(b),

"Ineverycaseinvolvingaseriousinjuryorillness,ordeath,inadditiontothereportrequiredbysubdivision(a),areportshallbemadeimmediatelybytheemployertothe
DivisionofOccupationalSafetyandHealthbytelephoneortelegraph."

Theterm"seriousinjuryorillness"isdefinedinLaborCode6302(h)as

"Anyinjuryorillnessoccurringinaplaceofemployment...butdoesnotincludeanyinjury,illnessordeathcausedbythecommissionofaPenalCodeviolation..."

Thus,eventhoughaworkplaceassaultwhichresultsinanemployee'sdeath,orinspecifiedtypesofinjuries,isrecordableontheOSHALog200andreportabletothe
insurerortoDLSR,itmaynotbereportabletoCal/OSHAif"itiscausedbythecommissionofaPenalCodeviolation."

ManyemployersdoreportworkplacedeathsandseriousinjuriestoCal/OSHAwhichmay,afterthefactsaresortedout,turnouttobe"causedbythecommissionofa
PenalCodeviolation."

Cal/OSHAactivelyencouragesemployerstoreportalldeaths,seriousinjuriesorillnesseswhichresultfromaworkplaceassaultorothertypeofviolentacttothenearest
Cal/OSHADistrictOfficesothatwecanacquireafullerunderstandingofthescopeandnatureofworkplaceviolencebyconductinganinvestigationofthecircumstances
surroundingtheevent.

HANDLINGCOMPLAINTSALLEGINGWORKPLACESECURITYHAZARDS
AllcomplaintsallegingaworkplacesecurityhazardshallbeevaluatedbytheCal/OSHADistrictManagerreceivingthecomplaintinthesamemannerasanyother
complaintaccordingtothecriteriasetforthinCal/OSHA'sPolicyandProcedure(P&P)Manual,SectionC7(ComplaintEvaluationandDocumentation).

Ifacomplaintallegesaworkplacesecurityhazardwhichhasareasonablebasisinfact,anddoesnotrepresentwillfulharassmentoftheemployer,thecomplaintisvalid
andshallbeclassifiedandhandledasareothervalidcomplaints.Acomplaintisvalidevenifthereisnostandardwhichspecificallyaddressesthehazardalleged.

ConductingaworksiteinspectiontoevaluatepotentialsecurityhazardsisarelativelynewactivityforCal/OSHA.However,basedonCal/OSHA'scomplianceexperienceto
date,suchinspectionscanbeeffectivelyaccomplishedbyfollowingtheinspectionproceduresfoundinP&PC1(InspectionReport)andC1A(InspectionProcedures).

Duringaworkplacesecurityevaluation,Cal/OSHAcompliancepersonnelshall,ataminimum,determinetheanswerstothefollowingsixquestions:

1.IstheinspectedestablishmentonewhichisconsideredtobeatsignificantriskofaTypeI,IIorIIIworkplaceviolenceevent?
2.Whatarethephysicalcharacteristicsandtheworkpracticesoftheestablishmentthataffectthesecurityoftheemployeeswhoworkintheestablishment?
3.Haveassaultsoccurredintheestablishmentinthepast?Ifso,howoftenhavetheseassaultsoccurredandwhatwastheirseverity?
4.Whatmeasuresweretakenbytheemployertoinvestigatethecause(s)ofassault(s)andwhatcorrectivemeasuresweretakenbytheemployertopreventother
assaults?
5.What,ifany,arethespecificworkplacesecurityissuestheemployer'sIIPProgramshouldaddress?

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6.IftheemployerisrequiredtoaddressworkplacesecurityissuesthroughtheIIPProgram,howeffectiveistheemployer'sIIPPrograminidentifyingandcorrecting
workplacesecurityhazardsandininvestigatingworkplaceassaults?DoestheIIPProgramresultineffectivecommunication,hazardassessment,hazardcorrection
andsupervisoryandemployeetraining.

ProperdocumentationofthefindingsfromeachworkplacesecuritycomplaintinspectionisimportantifCal/OSHAistolearnbyitsexperienceinthisnewareaof
occupationalsafetyandhealth.ProperdocumentationandreviewofinspectionfindingswilladdtoCal/OSHA'sfundofknowledgeaboutworkplacesecurityissues.An
internalCal/OSHAWorkplaceSecurityTaskForce,composedofrepresentativesofRegionsIthroughIV,willperiodicallyreviewtheresultsofallworkplacesecurity
complaintinspections.

Therefore,DistrictManagersshouldensurethatallcompliancepersonnelwhoconductworkplacesecurityinspectionsdocumenttheirinspectionfindingsandthe
evidentiaryfoundationforanyproposedcitationsorSpecialOrdersissuedasaresultoftheirinspections.

AnyenforcementactionarisingfromaworkplacesecurityhazardinspectionshallbethoroughlyreviewedinallcasesbytheDistrictManagerandbytheRegional
Manager.Untilfurthernotice,allproposedcitationsarisingfromcomplaintinvestigationsshallbeforwardedtotheChief'sOfficeforreviewbytheLegalUnitpriortobeing
issuedtotheemployer.Inaddition,DistrictandRegionalManagersshallevaluateanyproblemsencounteredbycompliancepersonnelduringtheperformanceof
workplacesecuritycomplaintinspections.

Whencompliancepersonnelobserveaconditionorworkpracticewhichposesaworkplacesecurityhazardtoemployees,appropriatesectionsof8CCR3203(a)shall
becited.Compliancepersonnelshallkeepinmindthattherelevantsubsectionsof8CCR3203(a)(a)(3)through(a)(7)aredirectedtospecificfeaturesthatthe
employer'sIIPProgrammusthave,eachofwhichmustbeeffectivetomeettheintentoftherequirement.Ifitisallegedthatanemployerhasfailedtocomplywithsection
3203asitappliestoworkplacesecurity,theallegationshallclearlystatewhichsubsectionof3203(a)wasnotmetandhowitwasnotmet.Itisneversufficienttosimply
allegethatanemployer'sIIPProgramdoesnotaddressworkplacesecurityordoesnotadequatelyaddressit.ThemannerinwhichtheProgramfallsshortmustbe
describedspecificallysothattheemployercanascertainwhatisdeficientandhowtocorrecttheproblem.

Whenaworkplacesecurityhazardfallsoutsidethescopeof3203,e.g.,specificcorrectivemeasuresareneededtoeliminateahazard,compliancepersonnel
shallconsideraSpecialOrder.SeeP&PSectionC3.

INVESTIGATINGASSAULTSINVOLVINGDEATHORSERIOUSINJURY
Cal/OSHAisrequiredbyCaliforniaLaborCode6313(a)

"Toinvestigateallindustrialaccidentswhicharefataltooneormoreemployeesorwhichresultinaseriousinjuryorillnessoraseriousexposure,unlesstheDivision
determinesaninvestigationisunnecessary,inwhichcasetheDivisionshallsummarizethefactsindicatingthattheaccidentneednotbeinvestigatedandthemeansby
whichthefactsweredetermined."

BecausetheLaborCode6302(h)excludes"anyinjuryorillnessordeathcausedbythecommissionofaPenalCodeviolation"fromthedefinitionofseriousinjury
orillness,Cal/OSHAhasnomandatorydutytorespondtosuchaccidents.However,Cal/OSHAdoeshavetheauthoritytoinvestigateanyworkplaceaccidentona
discretionarybasis,asprovidedbyLaborCode6313(b):

"Thedivisionmayinvestigatethecausesofanyotherindustrialaccidentoroccupationalillnesswhichoccurswithinthestateinanyemploymentorplaceofemployment...
andshallissueanyordersnecessarytoeliminatethecausesandpreventreoccurrence."

Inordertolearnmoreabouthowtopreventtheoccurrenceofhomicidesandotherseriousinjuriesarisingfromworkplaceassaults,Cal/OSHAwillexercisethestatutory
discretiongrantedtoitunderLaborCode6313(b)toinvestigatesuchaccidents.

On1August1994,Cal/OSHAinitiatedatwelvemonthWorkplaceSecurityAccidentInvestigationPilotProjectwhichhasnowbeenextendedsixmonthsandwillnowend
on31December1995.Investigationsshallbeinitiatedbyareportofaworkplacehomicideorotherseriousincidentfromemployers,employees,laborunions
representatives,lawenforcementagencies,theprintorelectronicmedia,orfromamemberofthegeneralpublic.

EachDistrictManagershallselectonetotwocompliancepersonnelfromhisorherDistrictOfficetoparticipateintheWorkplaceSecurityAccidentInvestigationProject.
MedicalUnitandBureauofInvestigationpersonnelwillbeavailabletoprovideinformationandexpertisetocompliancepersonnelasappropriate.

Compliancepersonnelwhoconductinvestigationsofworkplacehomicidesorotherseriousviolencerelatedincidentsshallfollowtheaccidentinvestigationproceduresset
forthinP&PC170&170A(AccidentInvestigation).ProperdocumentationofthefindingsfromeachaccidentinvestigationisimportantifCal/OSHAistolearnbyits
experienceinthisnewareaofworkplacesafety.ProperdocumentationandreviewofinvestigationfindingswilladdtoCal/OSHA'sfundofknowledgeaboutworkplace
securityissues.TheCal/OSHAWorkplaceSecurityTaskForcewillperiodicallyreviewtheresultsofworkplacesecurityaccidentinvestigations.

Duringtheperformanceofaninvestigationataworkplaceatwhichlocalpoliceagenciesarealsoconductinganinvestigation,compliancepersonnelshallwork
cooperativelywithallpolicepersonnelinvestigatingthesameevent.Whenfeasible,compliancepersonnelshallalsosupplementtheirownaccidentinvestigationreportby
obtainingacopyofthepoliceinvestigator'sreport.

Cal/OSHADistrictManagersshouldensurethatcompliancepersonnelwhoconductaccidentinvestigationsfollowingtheoccurrenceofaworkplacehomicideorother
seriousincidentthoroughlydocumenttheirfindingsandtheevidentiaryfoundationforanyproposedcitationsorSpecialOrderstobeissuedasaresultofthe
investigation.

AnyenforcementactionarisingfromaworkplacesecurityinvestigationshallbethoroughlyreviewedinallcasesbytheDistrictManagerandbytheRegionalManager.
Untilfurthernotice,allproposedcitationsshallbeforwardedtotheChief'sOfficeforreviewbytheLegalUnitpriortobeingissued.Inaddition,DistrictandRegional
Managersshallevaluateanyproblemsencounteredbycompliancepersonnelduringtheperformanceofaworkplacesecurityaccidentinvestigation.

Whencompliancepersonnelobserveaconditionorworkpracticewhichposesaworkplacesecurityhazardtoemployeesordeterminethatitwasrelatedtothe
occurrenceoftheaccident,compliancepersonnelshallciteappropriatesectionsof8CCR3203(a).Compliancepersonnelshallkeepinmindthattherelevant
subsectionsof8CCR3203(a)(a)(3)through(a)(7)aredirectedtospecificfeaturesthattheemployer'sIIPProgrammusthave,eachofwhichmustbeeffectivetomeet
theintentoftherequirement.Ifitistobeallegedthatanemployerhasfailedtocomplywithsection3203asitappliestoworkplacesecurity,theallegationshallclearly
statewhichsubsectionof3203(a)wasnotmetandhowitwasnotmet.Itisneversufficienttosimplyallegethatanemployer'sIIPProgramdoesnotaddressworkplace
securityordoesnotadequatelyaddressit.ThemannerinwhichtheProgramfallsshortmustbedescribedspecificallysothattheemployercanascertainwhatisdeficient
andhowtocorrecttheproblem.

Whenaworkplacesecurityhazardfallsoutsidethescopeof3203,e.g.,specificcorrectivemeasuresareneededtoeliminateahazard,compliancepersonnel
shallconsideraSpecialOrder.SeeP&PSectionC3.

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CONSULTATIVEASSISTANCEFOREMPLOYERS
Employerswhoneedassistanceindevelopingworkplacesecurityhazardassessment,assaultinvestigationandhazardcorrectionproceduresforinclusionintotheir
existingIIPProgram,orneedhelpinprovidingworkplacesecuritytrainingtotheiremployees,shouldcontacttheCal/OSHAConsultationService.Cal/OSHAwilltargetits
consultativeservicesintheareaofworkplacesecuritytohighriskoccupations/workplaceswhereexistingsecuritymanagementprogramsareminimalornonexistentand
toestablishmentswherelimitedinternalresourcesareavailabletoaddressworkplacesecurityhazards.

TheCal/OSHAConsultationServiceoffersassistancetoemployersfreeofchargeaboutanyoccupationalsafetyandhealthissue,includingworkplacesecurity.The
ConsultationServiceoperatessevenAreaOfficeslocatedthroughoutthestateofferingtelephonicconsultationoronsiteconsultationservices.Inaddition,the
ConsultationServicehasavideolibraryofover300titles,publishesvariousinformativepamphletsaboutworkplacesafetyandhealthtopicsandhasavailableModel
ProgramswhichcanassistemployersindevelopingtheirIIPPrograms.

EmployerswhoneedassistanceinaddressingworkplacesecurityhazardsareinvitedtocontactthenearestConsultationServiceAreaOffice,orcall1(800)9639424,
oryoucanemailusatInfoCons@dir.ca.gov

Asmentionedabove,theCal/OSHAConsultationServicehasdevelopedaModelInjuryandIllnessPreventionProgramforWorkplaceSecuritywhichisavailableatany
ConsultationAreaOffice.

INTHEFUTURE
Intheoccupationalsafetyandhealthcommunity,wehaveformanyyearseducatedemployersabouthowtoprovideasafeandhealthfulworkplacefortheiremployees.
Now,thetimehascomeforustoeducateemployersabouthowtoprovideasecureone,too.

Eventhoughmanyofthecausesofworkplaceviolencehavetheiroriginoutsidetheworkplace,andeventhoughtherearegapsinourfundofknowledgeabouthowto
preventtheoccurrenceofsometypesofworkplaceassaults,enoughiscurrentlyknownabouttheproblemforustomakeastart.

AsthestatisticsintheseGuidelinesindicate,workplaceviolencehasbecomeaseriousoccupationalhealthproblemwhosesolutionwillrequireallofourefforts.The
problemcannotbesolvedbygovernmentalone.

Cal/OSHAinvitesemployers,laborunions,employees,occupationalhealthandsafetyprofessionals,thepublichealthcommunity,othergovernmentagenciesandsecurity
professionalstocontinuetoworkwithusindevelopingandpromotingstrategiestopreventworkplaceviolence.

APPENDIXILATENIGHTRETAILVIOLENCEPREVENTIONCHECKLIST
PreEventMeasures

Makeyourstoreunattractivetorobbersby:
Removingclutter,obstructionsandsignsfromthewindowssothatanunobstructedviewofthestorecounterand/orcashregisterexists.
Keepingthestoreandparkinglotasbrightlylitaslocallawallows.
Keepaneyeonwhatisgoingonoutsidethestoreandreportanysuspiciouspersonsoractivitiestothepolice.
Whentherearenocustomersinthestore,keepyourselfbusywithothertasksawayfromthecashregister.
Postemergencypoliceandfiredepartmentnumbersandthestore'saddressbythephone.
Mountmirrorsontheceilingtohelpyoukeepaneyeonhiddencornersofthestore.Considersurveillancecamerastorecordwhatgoesoninthestoreand
toactasadeterrent.
Postsignswhichareeasytospotfromtheoutsideofthestorethatinformcustomersthatyouhavealimitedamountofcashonhand.
Limitaccessiblecashtoasmallamountandkeeponlysmallbillsinthecashregister.
Useatimeaccesssafeforlargerbillsanddepositthemastheyarereceived.
Useonlyoneregisterafterdarkandleaveunusedregistersopenwithemptycashdrawerstiltedupforalltosee.
Letyourcustomersknowthatyouonlykeepasmallamountofcashonhand.
EventMeasures
Ifyouarerobbedatgunpoint,staycalmandspeaktotherobberinacooperativetone.Donotargueorfightwiththerobberandoffernoresistance
whatsoever.Handoverthemoney.
Nevereverpullaweaponduringtheeventitwillonlyincreaseyourchancesofgettinghurt.
Alwaysmoveslowlyandexplaineachmovetotherobberbeforeyoumakethem.
PostEventMeasures
Makenoattempttofolloworchasetherobber.
Staywhereyouareuntilyouarecertaintherobberhaslefttheimmediatearea,thenlockthedoorofyourstoreandcallthepoliceimmediately.
Donottouchanythingrobberhashandled.
Writedowneverythingyourememberabouttherobberandtherobberywhileyouwaitforthepolicetoarrive.
Donotopenthedoorofthestoreuntilthepolicearrive.

APPENDIXIIWORKPLACESECURITYPROFILEFORTYPESIANDII

Date: InspectionNo.

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EmployerName: Address:

NatureofBusiness: HoursofOperation:

Describethephysicallayoutoftheestablishment.Indicateitslocationtootherbusinessesorresidencesintheareaandaccesstothestreet.

Number/Genderofemployeesonsitebetween10p.m.and5a.m.

Describenatureandfrequencyofclient/customer/patient/passenger/othercontact:

Arecashtransactionsconductedwiththepublicduringworkinghours?Ifyes,howmuchcashiskeptinthecashregisterorinanotherplaceaccessibletoarobber?

Isthereasafeorlockboxonthepremisesintowhichcashisdeposited?

Whatisthesecurityhistoryoftheestablishmentandenvirons?

Whatphysicalsecuritymeasuresarepresent?

Whatworkpracticeshastheemployerimplementedtoincreasesecurity?

Hastheemployerprovidedsecuritytrainingtoemployees?Ifso,hasthetrainingbeeneffective?

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