While on the job, Colorado workers face a range of hazards. The dangers present within the workplace often revolve around the type of work done or the conditions in which one’s duties are performed. Colorado workers acknowledge and accept that certain types of work are inherently more dangerous than others. However, there is one category of workplace injury that does not correlate to the type of work performed, and that poses a risk to workers of all types.
Workplace violence is an issue that receives little attention until a serious event takes place. However, according to a 2012 study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, as many as 36 percent of respondents reported incidents of workplace violence at their companies. Even more sobering are statistics that assert that workplace violence is the second leading cause of workplace fatalities overall, and the leading cause for female workers.
There are a number of measures that employers can take to minimize the risk of workplace violence, beginning with implementing a firm policy against workplace behavior that could lead to violence. This can include verbal or physical threats, destruction of property or any other aggressive behavior. Regular security audits are another option to reduce the risk of workplace injuries resulting from violent outbursts.
While not every incident of workplace violence can be prevented, there are steps that can be taken to mitigate the risks of workplace injury resulting from these types of events. While workplace injury is not a common occurrence in Colorado, when it does take place it has the power to significantly disrupt a victim’s normal range of function, both within their job and in their outside lives. For workers who are harmed by the actions of another while on the job, workers’ compensation can assist in recovering lost wages or addressing any medical or therapeutic needs that may arise from an attack.
Source: ourcoloradonews.com, “Establishing a Safe Workplace – What Can You Do?” Jack Goldberg, April 29, 2013