Possible Solutions to the Impact of Violence/Abuse in a workplace

3. Workers

• Are staff relationships frequently tense? Yes No
• Are certain workers likely to become violent? Yes No
• Are certain workers likely to use abusive language? Yes No
• Are workers stressed, unhappy or bored at work? Yes No
• Are personal difficulties becoming a problem at work? Yes No
• Is prejudice or intolerance displayed at the workplace? Yes No
• Are initiation ceremonies or bullying accepted practice amongst workers? Yes No

4. Training

Have workers who may be exposed to workplace violence received the following training:

• Legal responsibilities? Yes No
• How to recognize potentially violent behavior? Yes No
• Causes and types of violence? Yes No
• Client Service skills? Yes No
• Negotiation skills? Yes No
• Communication skills? Yes No
• Security procedures? Yes No
• Basic self-defence? Yes No
• Incident reporting and recording? Yes No
• Emergency and response procedures? Yes No
• Worker assistance programs? Yes No

5. Procedures

• Is there an agreed response plan for violent situations? Yes No
• Are there written procedures for the following:
• Cash handling? Yes No
• Securing the premises? Yes No
• Safe storage of personal property? Yes No
• Handling disputes involving clients? Yes No
• Responding to alarms? Yes No
• Reporting violent incidents? Yes No

6. Communication

• Can workers communicate effectively with clients/customers Yes No
• to diffuse potentially violent situations?
• Are field workers or persons working alone able to call Yes No
• for help quickly in an emergency?
• Are mobile phones, intercoms, duress alarms and beepers Yes No
• available and in good working order?
• Are emergency telephone numbers prominently displayed Yes No
• or on automatic dial?

7. Security Does the premises have:

• Duress alarms at counter areas and in interview rooms? Yes No
• Monitoring and surveillance systems? Yes No
• Fire alarms and sprinkler systems? Yes No
• Firefighting equipment meeting current regulations? Yes No
• Security screens and doors? Yes No
• Master key locking systems? Yes No
• Outdoor security lights triggered to operate after dark? Yes No
• Hidden safes? Yes No
• Interview Rooms with two exits? Yes No
• Staff only exits from office areas? Yes No
• Parking facilities which are close by, well lit and Yes No
• with minimal shrubbery?

PART B: Post Incident Checklist

Did the procedure for reporting the violent incident include a description of:

• The type of incident (e.g. verbal, physical, sexual, armed hold-up, bomb or death threat) Yes No
• Nature and extent of injuries, if any? Yes No
• Time and location, including whether it was on call-out? Yes No
• Who was involved (e.g. client and staff member) Yes No
• Was the immediate response procedure correctly followed? Yes No
• Were police/other emergency services promptly called? Yes No
• Was first aid immediately available if required? Yes No
• Was the incident discussed with employees afterwards? Yes No
• Was a worker assistance/counseling service provided if needed? Yes No
• Were workers able to return to normal duties soon after the incident? Yes No