Fed-OSHA and California Department of Industrial Relations Guidelines

The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (Fed-OSHA) requires employers to provide their employees with a place of employment which is “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm...employees.”

Does Your Policy Cover (but not limited to) the Following?

• Complaint Procedures
  
• Security measures
  
• Pre-employment screening
  
• Training
  
• Surveys
  
• Workplace Contraband
  
• Visitors
  
• Codes
  
• Alarm Systems
  
• Cellular Telephones
  
• Response to Bomb Threats
  
• Parking Lot Obstructions
  
• Public Announcement Systems
  
• Security Cameras
  
• Drug Testing
  
• Security Guards
  
• Reports to Police
  
• Prosecution and Enforcement (check with legal counsel).
  

Points to convey when you are crafting a policy to manage and avoid workplace violence:

• All employees are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment.

• The policy covers not only acts of physical violence, but harassment, intimidation, and other disruptive behavior.

• The policy covers incidents involving coworkers and incidents involving individuals from outside the agency perpetrating violence against agency employees.
• The agency will respond appropriately to all reported incidents.
  
• The agency will act to stop inappropriate behavior.
  
• Supervisors and all the offices involved in responding to incidents will be supported by agency management in their efforts to deal with violent and potentially violent situations.