Public Employee Press

Panel focuses on workplace violence

Random acts of violence erupt in the workplace with alarming frequency, and prevention has become a union priority. On March 28, workplace safety advocates outlined the critical elements of an effective workplace violence prevention program at a seminar sponsored by the city Central Labor Council and the New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health.

DC 37 Safety Director Lee Clarke moderated and participated in a panel of experts that included Maureen Cox of the New York State Dept. of Labor, Jonathan Rosen of the Public Employees Federation and Stephen Mooser of the Retail Workers.

While New York State recently enacted the Workplace Violence Prevention Law, the regulations that will be used for enforcement are in dispute. New York City is contesting a provision that calls for input from employee representatives, such as union safety and health advocates. Despite this, trade unions are gearing up for the day when regulations are adopted and enforcement becomes mandatory.

According to the panelists, the key elements of an effective program include management commitment and employee involvement; an assessment of risk and a site-specific workplace analysis; hazard prevention and control; training andeducation and recordkeeping and evaluation.

The key elements are based on requirements of the new law, federal Occupational Safety and Health Act guidelines, and the experience of safety and health advocates.