Risk Evaluation and Determination

Worksite Analysis

A worksite analysis involves a step-by-step, commonsense look at the workplace to find existing or potential hazards for workplace violence. This entails reviewing specific procedures or operations that contribute to hazards and specific areas where hazards may develop. The safety committee may decide to have a threat assessment team or coordinator to assess the vulnerability to workplace violence and determine the appropriate preventative actions to be taken. This group may also be responsible for implementing the workplace violence prevention program. The team should include representatives of senior management, operations, employee assistance, security, risk management, legal, and human resources staff.

The team or coordinator can review injury and illness records and workers’ compensation claims to identify patterns of assaults that could be prevented by workplace adaptation, procedural changes, or employee training. As the team or coordinator identifies appropriate controls, they should be instituted.

Focus of a Worksite Analysis:

OSHA recommends that a worksite analysis includes, but not limited to:

• Analyzing and tracking records;
• Screening surveys; and
• Analyzing workplace security.

The employer is responsible for assessing the employees’ work environment for the risk factors (hazards) they are actually or potentially exposed to.