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Do not overlook the signs of workplace violence.  Today’s post is about facts; facts that should not be ignored.

Workplace Violence has been an emerging concern since the early 1990s.  According to the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) homicide is the second leading cause of death in the workplace.   In 1997 there were 856 homicides in U.S. workplaces, and almost 2 million cases of assaults and threats of violence per year. Included in this number were 51,000 rapes and sexual assaults, 84,000 robberies, 396,000 aggravated assaults and nearly 1,000 homicides.

In addition, workplace violence has an economic impact that cost billions when taking into account the lost work days, wages, productivity, legal expenses, security, and so on.

Examples of workplace violence can include beatings, stabbings, suicides, shootings, rapes, threats or obscene phone calls, intimidation, harassment of any nature, being followed or shouted at.

There are a number of signs to look for. The obvious signs such as threats to inflict bodily harm, or any aggressive act toward another person are easy to identify.  But there are subtle signs that should be noted. 
•    Abusive or offensive language, gestures or other discourteous conduct
•    Shouting, throwing or pushing objects, punching walls, or slamming doors
•    Making false, malicious or unfounded statements against others
•    Inappropriate remarks; delusional statements
•    Fascination with guns or other weapons
•    Bringing a weapon into work

To read more go to:
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/searchresults.relevance?p_text=workplace%20violence&p_status=CURRENT&p_title=