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Workplace Violence: Recent Shootings Illustrate Sources of Violence; What's Your Greatest Risk?
December 2011
It was allegedly a contentious divorce that pushed Scott Dekraai over the edge. On October 12, just one day after he appeared in court to ask for more time with his 8-year-old son, Dekraai put on body armor, armed himself, and went to the Seal Beach beauty salon where his ex-wife worked as a hairdresser. Dekraai opened fire, killing eight people, including his ex-wife. . . . more »

OSHA takes steps to tackle workplace violence
November 2011
Federal OSHA has launched a new website on preventing workplace violence and published several related guidance documents, including recommendations for late-night retail establishments and healthcare . . . more »

Trainer's Handbook: Protecting Workers from Sexual Harassment -- and Potential Workplace Violence
August 2011
Last year, New York City-based ABM Industries, Inc., a janitorial services contractor, settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by 21 female workers from California's Central Valley region. The company agreed to pay $5.8 million and provide other relief to the women, who claim they were subjected to sexual harassment--including unwelcome touching and rape--by 14 male co-workers and supervisors, one of whom was a registered sex offender. . . . more »

Workplace Violence: Neighborhood Crime Watches Spread to Businesses; Could Partnering with Your Neighbors Enhance Your Security?
June 2011
It was Michael Watkins' 53rd birthday on Dec. 8, 2009, and he happened to be working that night, repairing arcade games at BJ's Novelty Store in South Louisville, Ky. At about 9:45 p.m., Watkins, who was working alone, returned from picking up supper from a nearby fast food restaurant. As he laid out his food on a workbench, an assailant attacked him from behind with a knife. Watkins called 911, but by the time help arrived, he was dead. Could a "business safety watch" have helped save him? . . . more »

Cal/OSHA fines hospital for workplace violence exposures
April 2011
Cal/OSHA recently issued safety citations based on two incidents involving guns at Children's Hospital in Oakland. In the first, an armed homeless man burst into the emergency room and took two employ . . . more »

Checklist for Preventing Customer/Client Violence Against Workers
COCA Online Exclusive March 2011
The murder of an employee at Napa State Hospital in October 2010 highlighted problems at Napa State and other facilities designed for people with psychiatric disorders that increasingly are used to house disturbed criminals. . . . more »

Workplace Violence: Hospital Employee Is Murdered at Work; Do Your Clients Pose a Risk to Your Workers?
January 2011

Donna Gross was on a dinner break from her job at Napa State Hospital on Oct. 23, when she encountered Jess Willard Massey, a patient with a history of violent behavior that included attempted murder.

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Workplace Violence: Don't Let 'Black Friday' Turn Deadly; Crowd Control Guidance for Holiday Sales
November 2010
The holiday shopping season traditionally kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as "Black Friday." . . . more »

Workplace Violence: Identifying Risk Factors and Preventing Violence Against Home Health Workers
March 2010
Home healthcare is one of the fastest growing segments of the healthcare industry. According to the Center for the Health Professions at the University of California, San Francisco, California currently has 45,000 home healthcare aides, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that home healthcare employment will increase by 46 percent from 2008 to 2018. Patients often prefer to be cared for in their homes whenever possible, and home care offers substantial cost savings over institution-based care, making the option attractive to insurers and patients alike. . . . more »

News Note: NIOSH Study Examines Risk of Job-Related Violence for Home Healthcare Workers
February 2010
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is conducting research to better understand work-related violence risks to home healthcare workers. According to the study's preliminary findings, . . . more »

Employee Assistance: Workplace Suicides Hit All-Time High; Prevent This Tragedy in Your Workplace
December 2009

Fifty-year-old Mario Ramirez may have believed that he would soon be laid off when he kissed his wife goodbye and left for work at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center on April 16. Maybe that's why, when he arrived at the hospital, he shot pharmacy supervisor Hugo Bustamante, 46, to death with a pair of pistols, and then went searching for another pharmacy supervisor, Kelly Hales, 56, whom he shot multiple times in the parking lot before turning a gun on himself.

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Workplace Violence, Part III: Guards! Guards! Expert Advice on Creating an Effective Relationship Between Your Workforce and Your Security Personnel
October 2009
Emergency medical personnel know the drill: when they arrive on scene with the ambulance, if there are any reports of violence, weapons, or gunfire, they have to wait for the police to arrive and go in first, even if someone might be dying . . . more »

Workplace Violence, Part II: Guards! Guards! Expert Advice on Writing Post Orders for Your Security Personnel
September 2009
Last month, we discussed how to hire an effective security force for your workplace. This month, we'll look at post orders--job descriptions for your security workforce. A well-written, detailed set of post orders can make the difference between a security force that's well-utilized and effective and one that fails to . . . more »

Workplace Violence, Part I: Guards! Guards! Advice on Creating an Effective Security Personnel Program
August 2009
Steven Tyrone Johns was a six-year veteran security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., on the day that 88-year-old James W. von Brunn walked through the doors carrying a .22-caliber rifle . . . more »

News Note: Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases Security Guard Injury Fact Sheet
August 2009
Security guards are more likely than other workers to be fatally injured while working--in particular, they are more likely to be murdered on the job--but are less likely to incur a . . . more »

Workplace Violence: Sheriff's Liaison Offers Advice on Workplace Violence Prevention and Working with Local Law Enforcement
April 2009
These days, it can seem like all the news is gloomy. Job losses and foreclosures have everybody wondering where the next axe will fall. People facing tough times may resort to dangerous coping mechanisms--alcohol, drug abuse, anger, and violent outbursts. . . . more »

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