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NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only.
The authors ask you:
In 2006, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 351 fatalities in the retail industry.1 Of these fatalities, 39% were due to assaults and violence. Studies have confirmed that workplace violence can be reduced by implementing “best practices” that have been developed for preventing workplace violence.2,3,4 Results from a recent BLS survey sponsored by NIOSH indicated that many retailers, particularly smaller businesses, have not, or had no plans to implement workplace violence prevention programs.5
This purpose of this project is to reduce the incidence and severity of injury and illness due to workplace violence, especially in small businesses by (1) collecting information on the existing best practices in workplace violence prevention, (2) developing a database of best practices that will meet the needs of small retail businesses, and (3) designing a “self certification” training program that will enable small businesses to become trained in methods of violence prevention that are most suitable for their employees, workplace, and management. This poster session will provide an opportunity to solicit feedback and develop ideas for implementing this workplace violence prevention program.
More than 15 millions workers are employed in the retail trade industry and are at risk for fatal and non fatal injuries.6 In 2006, the BLS reported 351 fatalities in the retail industry, many of which were related to workplace homicide and violence. The workplace violence fatality rate has been estimated at 2.1 per 100,000 for the retail trade sector, higher than many other sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and mining.7
Many incidents of workplace violence can be anticipated and avoided through environmental and administrative measures. Even if a threatening incident occurs, a timely and appropriate response can prevent the situation from escalating and resulting in injury or death. In 1998, OSHA released guidelines identifying common risk factors for late night workplace violence prevention and preventative best practice measures to reduce the risk of violence in the retail industry. According to OSHA, a violence prevention program must be tailored to meet the specific needs of each workplace and should include five key components: (1) management commitment and employee involvement, (2) worksite analysis, (3) hazard prevention and control, (4) safety and health training, and (5) evaluation. Using these basic elements, an employer can develop a violence prevention plan and program that is appropriate for the establishment, based upon the hazards and circumstances of the particular situation.8 Despite the identified risks and available preventative strategies, results from a recent BLS survey sponsored by NIOSH indicated that many retailers, particularly smaller businesses have not, or had no plans to implement workplace violence prevention programs.9
This purpose of this project is to reduce the incidence and severity of injury and illness due to workplace violence, especially in small retail businesses. The proposed methodology to reduce workplace violence is three fold: (1) collect information on the existing best practices in workplace violence prevention, (2) develop a database of best practices that will meet the needs of small retail businesses, and (3) design a "self certification" training program, Training in Violence Prevention, that will enable small businesses to become trained in methods of violence prevention that are most suitable for their employees, workplace, and management. This training program would be a mechanism for retailers to utilize best practice resources to prevent violence in their place of business and protect the safety of their employees and customers.
This project is based on best practice violence prevention strategies and will target the identified barriers and benefits of implementing an effective workplace violence prevention program, such as saving lives and money,10 and potentially avoiding litigation.11 The certification process provides a simple method to increase awareness of violence in the workplace and improve the transfer, diffusion, and adoption of effective workplace violence interventions in the retail sector. Employers will also gain recognition for their efforts in supporting "workplace violence prevention." Once the elements of the project are in place, then an information campaign is needed that will make use of the support, cooperation and outreach provided by both NIOSH and OSHA.
Although, there are many effective preventative strategies available to retailers to prevent violence in the workplace, most retailers do not implement these strategies. The purpose of this poster session is to present a research based violence prevention program that would empower retailers to reduce the risk of violence in the workplace. Feedback from this session will be used to develop the Training in Violence Prevention program.
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2006. U.S. Washington, DC: US Dept of Labor; 2007.
2 Casteel C, Peek-Asa C. The effectiveness of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) in reducing robberies. Am J Prev Med. 2000;18(suppl 4):99–115
3 Faulkner K, Landsittel P, Hendricks, S. Robbery characteristics and employee injuries in convenience stores. Am J Ind Med. 2001;40:703-709
4 Peek-Asa C, Casteel C, Mineschian L, Erickson R, Kraus, J. Compliance to a workplace violence prevention program in small businesses. Am J Prev Med. 2004;26:276-283
5 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, B. Survey of Workplace Violence Prevention. Washington, DC: US Dept of Labor; 2005
6 U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2006. Washington, DC: US Dept of Labor; 2007.
7 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. U.S. Washington, DC: US Dept of Labor; 2007.
8 OSHA (1998). Recomendations for Workplace Violence Prevention in Late-Night Retail Establishments, Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA Publication 3153.
9 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, B. Survey of Workplace Violence Prevention. Washington, DC: US Dept of Labor; 2005
10 Hartley D, Biddle E, Jenkins L. Societal cost of workplace homicides in the United States, 1992–2001. Am J Ind Med. 2005;47:518-527
11 Mulhern B, Amandus H, Hartley D. A history of violence. Convenience Store News. 2007;43:151-156
The findings and conclusions in this poster are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Citations to Web sites external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these Web sites.
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