Conducting a Workplace Security Analysis

The team or coordinator should periodically inspect the workplace and evaluate employee tasks to identify hazards, conditions, operations, and situations that could lead to violence. A review of existing policies, for example, violence prevention, crisis response, hazard communications, domestic violence in the workplace, workplace conflict, and relations with criminal justice authorities. Gaining input from members and clients may also provide valuable information on risk factors for workplace violence.

To find areas requiring further evaluation, the team or coordinator should:

• Analyze incidents, including the characteristics of assailants and victims, an account of what happened before and during the incident, and the relevant details of the situation and its outcome. When possible, obtain police reports and recommendations.
• Identify jobs or locations with the greatest risk of violence as well as processes and procedures that put employees at risk of assault, including how often and when.
• Note high-risk factors such as types of members or clients (for example, those with psychiatric conditions, stress, disoriented by drugs or alcohol, or have a history of violence); physical risk factors related to building layout or design; isolated locations and job activities; lighting problems; lack of phones and other communication devices; areas of easy, unsecured access; and areas with previous security problems.
• Evaluated the effectiveness of existing security measures, including engineering controls. Determine if risk factors have been reduced or eliminated and take appropriate action.

Throughout the risk evaluation process, the group should document its findings. These records may be used to guide the development of the written WVPP and to document the risk assessment process and its conclusions.