IndexWorkplace SafetyViolence at WorkKeeping Employees SafeConclusionReferences:Workplace SafetyDangerous conditions in the workplace can result from many different elements. Some dangers that people face every day in their work come from fall hazards, when you are on a ladder or on a construction site you face dangers from power tools and falling debris. Others may face chemical hazards, such as in a laboratory or chemical waste facility. In any job, however, workplace violence can occur anywhere. Violence can come from employee to employee, employee to supervisor, and customer/patient to employee. Violence can pose a serious threat in the workplace. “Each year in the United States, approximately 1,000 people die from workplace violence, and more than 20,000 nonfatal violent incidents result in lost days of work” (Racette K, 2001, p. 329) Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Violence at Work Violence can happen very quickly in a hospital. Hospitals in 2018 are quite safe. Many hospitals have metal detectors and police officers on standby 24/7. While this is the case in some hospitals, not all have these luxuries and all hospitals have many unrestricted movement areas for patients and their families. Stress can also play a role in workplace violence. Whether it's an employee stressed due to family problems or a patient's family member unable to cope with the traumatic crisis in their life, stress can lead anyone to become violent. Another factor that can contribute to violence is drugs. It is known that a hospital has many drugs, and although almost all hospitals keep drugs safe at all times, this does not always discourage violent actions. These are just some of the reasons why hospital violence can occur. It can sometimes be very difficult to identify someone who will become violent. Employees who become violent will be easier to identify than patients. Colleagues who become violent will typically have a change in their normal attitude, usually more negative. Some employees may talk about their problems at home and bring them to the workplace. Colleagues who are sociable most of the time will be silent, patients who tend to be violent may swear and shout. They may have a clenched jaw and a piercing gaze and sweat heavily. To protect themselves from violence, hospitals use some strategies that are not always seen as violence prevention. Simple prevention involves the use of metal detectors and security guards. Bag searches can also be used to seize weapons and drugs. Hospitals are making waiting rooms spacious and more comfortable to prevent patients and families from becoming anxious and irritated. People having to wait in a waiting room with uncomfortable seating and little space can make people angry and violent. Hospitals should use employee safe rooms that can be used by employees during a violent outbreak. Safe rooms should have two exits so that employees have multiple escape routes. Keeping Employees Safe To protect employees from violent outbreaks, hospitals should use bulletproof glass in reception areas. Hospitals are also using a reporting system to avoid, 72(4): 329-342.
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