workplace violence retail slides

Nicole Deese, M.S. OOHN Intern August 4th, 2009

Workplace Violence in Retail:Controls that Work

Coming Up

• Scary Statistics• Risk Factors in Retail• Crime Prevention Through Environmental

Design• Research on What Works• Summary

Quick Stats - 2007Total Workplace Fatalities 5488

Transportation Accidents 2234

Contact with Objects 916

Assaults & Violent Events 839

Falls 835

Exposure to Harmful Substances 488

Fire and Explosions 151

Bodily Reaction and Exertion 22

Quick StatsNonfatal Workplace Assaults

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

19

95

19

96

19

97

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98

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99

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20

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20

07

Year

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Risk Factors in Retail

Risk Factors

• Cash

Risk Factors

• Public

Risk Factors

• Few People

Risk Factors

• Night time work

Risk Factors

• Poor Visibility

Risk Factors

• Easy Escape

Controls that Work

General Duty Clause 5(a)(1)

• Employer failed to keep workplace safe

• Hazard was recognized

• Hazard was causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm

• Feasible and useful way to correct it– Proposed abatement would significantly reduce the hazard

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

• Main Idea: Potential criminals think logically- weighing the pros & cons

• Make the pros & cons in our favor– Increasing barriers– Decreasing perceived rewards

• Most Effective is a Combination of Controls!

Convenience Stores

• Associated with Reduced Risk:– Employee Training– Security Systems– Bullet-Resistant Shielding– ATM Machines– Cash Handling Policies

• Hendricks, et al., 1999

Cash-Handling Policies

Signage

Gas Stations, Motels, Liquor Stores

• Intervention (How):– Safe– Cash Handling– Training– Accessibility– Signage– Lighting

• Peek-Asa et al., 2004

• Outcome / Reduction of Risk :– High Compliers: 5%

Decrease in Crime– Low Compliers: 28%

Increase in Crime– Look up control risk

• n = 314 (intervention)• n = 96 (control)

Lighting - Outside

Lighting- Indoors

Liquor Stores

• Intervention (How):– Lighting– Training– Escape Routes– Visibility

• Casteel et al., 2004

• Outcome / Reduction of Risk :– 82% Reduction in Robbery– Control Group Increase

• n = 9 (intervention)• n = 13 (control)

Visibility

Retail - Variety

• Intervention (How):– Cash Handling– Safe– Signage– Visibility & Lighting– Training– Accessibility

• Casteel et al., 2008

• Outcome / Reduction of Risk :– High Compliers: 26%

Lower Violent Crime Rate vs. Control

– 41% Lower Robbery & Attempted vs. Control

• n = 305 (intervention)• n = 96 (control)

Accessibility - Outside

Accessibility - Indoors

Convenience Stores

• Intervention:– Visibility & Lighting– Counter Location– Signage– Time-Release Safe

• Clifton, 1987

• Outcome / Reduction of Risk :– 64% Decrease in

Robberies

• n = 47 Stores

Buddy System

Butterworth, 1991

State Plans

• Several State plans address WPV in retail: – New Mexico– Washington– California

• Others address WPV in the healthcare setting and/or public sector:– Oregon– New York– Delaware

Summary

• CPTED- Reduce perceived gains, increase barriers.

• Most effective to use several controls together.

• Reduced crime rates by up to 82%!

• Hope this would be helpful to OSHA’s enforcement team.

Questions or Comments?

Thank you!