INTRODUCTION
Employers are being directed by the Department of Labor and Industries to analyze the potential for workplace violence in their business and if there appears to be a potential risk for injury due to workplace violence, the employer is directed to include appropriate safeguards in its written Accident Prevention Plan and to implement them.

WHAT IS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE?
Workers who are injured from interaction with:
  Customers, clients or patients
  Co-workers (fighting or horseplay)
  Other workers (disputes at worksites where other employers have workers)
  Robberies
  Domestic disputes
  Strangers
  Etc.

WHAT SIGNS SHOULD AN EMPLOYER LOOK FOR?
Employers are directed to review their firm's history as it relates to workplace violence.  If the employer has a history of workplace violence, the employer is directed to include safeguards against future injuries to employees due to workplace violence.

Employers in the following industries are likely to have workplace violence potential according to the Department:
  Drinking Places
  Late Night Retail
  Gasoline Service Stations
  Taxicabs
  Grocery Stores
  Jewelry Stores
  Apartment Buildings
  Hotels and Motels
  Barber Shops
  Skilled Nursing Homes
  Psychiatric Hospitals Residential Care
  Nursing/Personal Care
  Job Training Services Detective
  Armored Car Services
  Police Protection
  Social Service Workers
  Correctional Officers
  Rooming & Boarding Houses
  Child Care & Day Care
  General Medical & Surgical Hospitals

Work activities that are likely potentials for workplace violence:
  Money Handling
  Contact With The Public
  Delivery of people or goods
  Working with drugs
  Working out of a car or delivery van
  Working alone
  Working at late night or early morning
  Working in high crime areas
  Guarding valuable property
WHAT EMPLOYERS ARE DIRECTED TO DO
Some employers are already required by law to take action to minimize the risk of workplace violence.
Late Night Retail  (see WAC 296-24-102 - 10203)  - i.e. convenience store (not restaurants, hotels, taverns, or other lodging facilities) - requires that any workers working between 11pm and 6am be provided (see the WAC for necessary details to comply):
A. Crime prevention training meeting the requirements of the WAC
B. A sign shall be posted that the safe on premises in not accessible by the employee
C. Displays shall be arranged so that there is an unobstructed view through the windows of the cash register from the street.
D. A drop safe for storing excess cash.
E. Maintain adequate lighting in customer parking areas

OTHER EMPLOYERS  Other employers with a potential for workplace violence are directed to take steps to eliminate or minimize the risk of injury to workers due to such violence.  The employer is directed to implement safeguards that are appropriate for the risk involved.  There are no specific requirements.  The employers is responsible for demonstrating that the safeguards provided are appropriate and reasonable to reduce or eliminate the risk of workplace violence for his/her employees.

The following are examples from the Department of possible safeguards for consideration:
  Engineering Controls (examples include but are not limited to)
   Secure locks on doors
   Cash register with unobstructed view from the street
   Cash drop and change metering safe
   Adequate lighting
   Protective desk (and possibly glass) between receptionist and customers
   Posting signs - only minimal cash available
   Clearly marked exits for escape routes
   Panic alarm
   Security monitoring, drive-bys, or on premise security personnel
   Request for additional police patrols of the area
   Secure parking areas

  Worker Training  (examples include but are not limited to)
   Worker training on company's workplace violence policies and procedures
   Workers trained to use fire alarm for protection when appropriate
   Conflict de-escalation techniques
   What to do in the case of a robbery

  Administrative and Work Practices  (examples include but are not limited to)
   Clearly stated policy - no workplace violence - enforce the policy
   Establishing violence code policy for workers to use to alert other workers
    via code of potentially violent situation occurring
   Control access - visitors sign-in and must be approved before entering
   Keep doors closed and locked
   Change work locations for isolated workers if possible
   Written and enforced policy prohibiting weapons anywhere around the
    workplace
   Eliminate easy access to weapons
   Workers work as teams in potential workplace violence situations like
    nursing home, boarding homes, etc.
   Provide referrals to "troubled employees" for assistance
   Emergency response procedures
   Provide escorts to employees leaving at late hours   

  Personal Protective Equipment  (examples include but are not limited to)
   Bullet proof vests

  Posting of Applicable Laws  (examples include but are not limited to)
   Post laws against assault, stalking or other violent acts

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Department has prepared a 64 page Workplace Violence publication to assist employers in identifying their risk of workplace violence and how to meet the workplace violence directives of the Department.  The publication has check lists, sample forms, and useful information on identifying and dealing with workplace violence.

You can view a copy of this booklet at http://www.wa.gov/lni/ipub/i417-140-000.htm on the Internet or you can call 360-902-5580 and request L&I WISHA Publication F417-140-000.