Guidelines to minimize workplace violence claims
The following guidelines outline Everest’s position and direction to minimize & mitigate workplace violence claims for workers compensation policyholders. These guidelines are likely to be updated to include active shooter exposures impacting our other lines of coverage and targeted businesses.
These guidelines do not apply to our security guard policyholders.
Background:
Workplace violence incidences can be newsworthy events which seem to be reported with increasing frequency. In many instances however these events are fairly small occurrences which do not reach media levels and are handled by the policyholder.
Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting. Threats, harassment, intimidation, bullying, stalking, intimate partner violence, physical or sexual assaults, and homicides fall within this category. These events can pose serious if not catastrophic loss potential to Everest impacting multiple lines of coverage.
While our workers’ compensation claims have not demonstrated catastrophic results, they do show a claim frequency at an average cost of $10,500.
WC claims as of 12/2015
Cause of Loss / Total Incurred / Claims*Fellow Worker, Patient / $2,789,956 / 342
Person in an Act or a Crime / $8,520,167 / 727
Total / $11,310,123 / 1,069
Average cost/claim / $10,500
*May include horseplay and incidental, non-violent contact by others
As of 12/30/15 Loss Control has never submitted a recommendation addressing this exposure.
Preventing these incidents is often difficult as their occurrences are generally unpredictable. While perpetrators such as thieves and robbers often cause these incidents, statistics show that the events are more likely to be initiated by a current or prior employee or an individual that has a relationship with a current or prior employee.
Consultant Action:
Identifying worker behaviors and stressful events likely to trigger these incidents is largely beyond the Loss Control discipline. However there are some business activities & worker tasks that make them more vulnerable to these events. These include:
• Contact with the public
• Exchange of money
• Delivery of passengers, goods, or services
• Having a mobile workplace: taxi, police cruiser
• Working with unstable or volatile persons
• Working alone or in small numbers
• Working late at night or during early morning
• Working in high-crime areas
• Guarding valuable property or possessions
• Working in community-based settings
• Prior violence related incidents have occurred
Consultants should review existing security controls and administrative practices to assure adequate worker protection when these high risk exposures are identified as part of your risk assessment. Examples of these controls include:
§ Physical barriers such as bullet-resistant enclosures or shields, pass-through windows, or deep service counters
§ Alarm systems, panic buttons, global positioning systems (GPS), and radios ("open mike switch")
§ Convex mirrors, elevated vantage points, clear visibility of service and cash register areas
§ Bright and effective lighting
§ Adequate staffing
§ Arrange furniture to prevent entrapment
§ Cash-handling controls, use of drop safes
§ Height markers on exit doors
§ Emergency procedures to use in case of robbery
§ Training in identifying hazardous situations and appropriate responses in emergencies
§ Video surveillance equipment, in-car surveillance cameras, and closed circuit TV
§ Establish liaison with local police
The following are a number of hazards that when present increase the likelihood of an incident. Recommendations to abate these hazards should be submitted when these hazards exist for high-risk policyholders.
• Customers, clients, or coworkers assault, threaten, yell, push, or verbally abuse employees or use racial or sexual remarks.• Employees are not required to report incidents or threats of violence, regardless of injury or severity, to employer.
• Employees have not been trained by the employer to recognize and handle threatening, aggressive, or violent behavior.
• Violence is accepted as "part of the job" by some managers, supervisors, and/or employees.
• Access and freedom of movement within the workplace are not restricted to those persons who have a legitimate reason for being there.
• The workplace security system is inadequate-i.e., door locks malfunction, windows are not secure, and there are no physical barriers or containment systems.
• Employees or staff members have been assaulted, threatened, or verbally abused by clients and patients.
• Medical and counseling services have not been offered to employees who have been assaulted.
• Alarm systems such as panic alarm buttons, silent alarms, or personal electronic alarm systems are not being used for prompt security assistance.
• There is no regular training provided on correct response to alarm sounding.
• Alarm systems are not tested on a monthly basis to assure correct function.
• Security guards are not employed at the workplace.
• Closed circuit cameras and mirrors are not used to monitor dangerous areas.
• Metal detectors are not available or not used in the facility.
• Employees have not been trained to recognize and control hostile and escalating aggressive behaviors, and to manage assaultive behavior.
• Employees cannot adjust work schedules to use the "Buddy system" for visits to clients in areas where they feel threatened.
• Cellular phones or other communication devices are not made available to field staff to enable them to request aid.
• Vehicles are not maintained on a regular basis to ensure reliability and safety.
• Employees work where assistance is not quickly available.