When Danger Comes Knocking ...

1. When Danger Comes Knocking ... What Every Employee Needs To Know About Violence In The Workplace

2. Why Is Learning About Violence Important? • Incidents of workplace violence can be prevented. • Prevention is EVERYONE’S responsibility and TOGETHER we can create and maintain a SAFE ENVIRONMENT for our patients, visitors, and coworkers. • Department specific education in the Management of Violent Behavior is available via an additional training module.

3. PHS has a policy prohibiting workplace violence and prohibiting retaliation against any employee who makes a good faith workplace violence complaint or who participates in an investigation. We conduct background checks on new employees to determine whether the person’s criminal history would disqualify them from employment.

4. What Is Workplace Violence? Definition: A physical, verbal, written threat or threatening behavior, or acts of violence against anyone on Providence property or has an effect on a Providence worksite Prohibited Behavior includes: intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment), coercion, or other inappropriate behavior that can be seen as threatening or frightening.

5. What Is Workplace Violence? In other words:Any conduct occurring in the workplace or while on duty that: Is disruptive, threatening or violent AND Causes individuals to fear for their safety or the safety of co-workers, patients, visitors, or others on the premises Even if conduct is not criminal, it can still be workplace violence.

6. Examples Of Workplace Violence: Note: Anyone is a potential perpetrator of workplace violence. It may be committed by employees or non-employees, including patients, visitors, or strangers.

7. How Can I HelpPrevent Violence? Remember the three “R’s” 1 = Recognize Warning signs • = Respond Appropriately • = Report Observations Immediately

8. 1. RECOGNIZE Warning Signs: Alert Employees Can Help Prevent Workplace Violence • Stop and approach strangers (assist with directions or walk them out of the area) • Look for people or things that are out of place (weapons, unknown boxes, suspicious people, etc.) • Listen for unusual sounds (yelling, breaking glass, slamming doors, profanity)

9. At PHS all employees, physicians, volunteers, visitors, and vendors are required to wear an ID badge (w/picture facing forward & name unobstructed). Employees should question (ask to help) anyone entering any department who is not wearing a badge.

10. Depression/Withdrawal Pre-occupation with weapons Desperation/ Hopelessness Paranoia Mis-Use of alcohol/drugs Irrational or Uncontrollable Anger, Rage History of violent behavior Agitated behavior Frequent use of abusive language Harassing behavior or Stalking Significant decrease in appearance/hygiene Threatening gestures Other dramatic behavior changes 1. RECOGNIZE Warning Signs: Pay Attention To How People Act and React One (or more) of these signs doesn’t necessarily mean that an individual will be violent, however, they should cause you to increase your attention to the situation!

11. 2. RESPOND Appropriately: Here Are Some Things You Can Do If the individual does not seem dangerous (no threats or weapons), you may diffuse behavior if you: • Remain Calm and soft-spoken, but alert • Encourage the person to talk • Listen quietly and with interest • Repeat what they are telling you in your own words • Maintain 3-6 feet between you and the other person • Don’t promise things you can’t make happen

12. Alert Others to what is going on Each department should establish a distress signal that alerts coworkers (but no one else) that there is a potentially violent situation. Practice makes perfect when developing or using departmental distress signals.

13. Who What Where 3. REPORT Your Observations Responsible employees can help to maintain a safe environment Always report What You Saw, Heard or Overheard: • Why • Witnesses • When Employees often help by notifying their managers that they have observed warning signs.

14. 3. REPORT Your Observations: Where You Report Depends On The Seriousness Of The Incident • If the situation is dangerous, DO NOT TRY TO INTERVENE call Security Services (57777) for assistance after moving to safety. • Call a “Code 55” (Avoid area) or “Code Green” (need support) to protect others. • In most circumstances you should inform your supervisor, your department Director, Security Services personnel, or the Employee Health Department of the incident.

15. Remember, At PHS Security Emergency Phone number is: 5-7777

16. OurOrganizational Philosophy • Every employee has an important role in preventing workplace violence • Zero tolerance for violence in the workplace • NO retaliation for reporting or cooperating in the investigation of a workplace violence incident

17. Every Employee Has A Role In Preventing Workplace Violence Remember: • If you have any workplace violence concerns let someone know, tell someone: • Your Supervisor, • The Employee Health Department or • The Security Services Department • If you need more information regarding our policies and procedures, contact your: • Your Supervisor • The Employee Health Department • If you have a restraining order against someone provide a copy to the Security Department

18. If you do feel uncomfortable reporting potential workplace violenceto your supervisor, contact Employee Health or Security Services.If you experience an act of workplace violence against you, Employee Health will initiate/conduct an investigation. Be sure to retain enough information to allow someone to investigate your concern.