Does your organization have a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan that is comprehensive and updated regularly?
If not, organizationally you are taking a gamble on both the safety of your employees and the continuity of your business operations.
Why Gamble?
(Learn More. Courtesy of Kiernan Group Holdings and YouTube. Posted on Jun 26, 2019.)
Workplace Violence can happen in any organization, regardless of size, mission space or location.
In fact, workplace violence can occur both inside and outside of the physical location of employment or even as a direct result of the nature of employment, for example the targeting of a visiting healthcare worker.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Workplace Violence accounts for the third leading cause of homicides in the United States, 75% of which are a result of shootings in, or in immediate proximity, to the victim’s work location.
All employers are required to protect their employees.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a federal mandate under its General Duty Clause Section 5(a)(1):
“Employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that is “free from recognizable threats that are causing or likley to cause death or serious harm.”
Many employers may not be aware that an active shooter incident is considered a “recognized hazard.”
Despite this requirement, OSHA does not have a national Workplace Violence Prevention Standard Plan.
Currently, lawmakers are pushing legal efforts to enact a federal bill, known as: The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, H.R.1309.
The bill was first introduced to Congress in 2018 and was re-introduced again earlier this year in February 2019.
A 2016 report influenced the bill, which found that over 730,000 cases of workplace assaults between 2009 and 2013 were against health care and social service workers.
Another report published by the Harvard Medical School and the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, found that nearly 75 percent of all reported incidents of Workplace Violence between 2011 to 2013, occurred in either the healthcare or social service industries.
If the Act passes, under the Department of Labor, OSHA would require “health care and social service industries to develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan” to protect workers.
Until that time, the responsibility remains with individual states.
To date, nine states across the country have already taken the initiative to pass legislation to require and institute a standardized plan in the health care sector.
For example, California OSHA (Cal/OSHA)’s Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care Standard was enacted in 2016.
Then in April 2018, Cal/OSHA expanded legislation to require all health care facilities to:
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Develop an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan,
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Provide all employees with Workplace Violence prevention training,
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And to maintain records of Workplace Violence hazard identification, evaluation, correction, training, and investigation.
In Massachusetts, Elise’s law is currently pending.
The Bill is formally known as “An Act Requiring Health Care Employers to Develop and Implement Programs to Prevent Workplace Violence.”
The bill was named after Elise Wilson, a nurse who was critically wounded in a stabbing by a patient who had a history of mental illness in 2014.
The hospital was found to be responsible for Elise’s injuries as it was known that the patient had previously exhibited threatening behavior.
(It’s not something often talked about, but people who work in the healthcare industry are at a greater risk of workplace violence. Courtesy of WWLP-22News and YouTube. Posted Jul 19, 2017.)
A Workplace Violence Prevention Plan is a key component in the awareness, identification, and early intervention of threats or incidents of workplace violence.
An organizational culture, which reinforces a zero tolerance policy for workplace violence and provides for clear and consistent reporting policies, will reduce the likelihood of underreporting.
Kiernan Group Holdings (KGH) has developed online training modules aligned with national level standards and guidance for both management and employees on Workplace Violence prevention.
This short video clip features the Four Types of Workplace Violence as defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
(The FBI’s Four Types of Workplace Violence. Courtesy of Kiernan Group Holdings and YouTube. Posted on Jun 28, 2019.)
Organizations without a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan or those with outdated or insufficient plans increase their vulnerability and risk of civil litigation and penalties.
There are an estimated two million workers who experience Workplace Violence annually resulting in approximately 1.2 million missed workdays each and every year.
There are liability consequences as well, where out of court settlements average $500,000 and the average jury verdict is approximately $3 million dollars.
The disruption to business continuity, supply chain confidence, and brand loyalty can become insurmountable and is not worth the gamble.
(Hear directly about the ‘Preparedness Without Paranoia’ Education and Training Series from Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, CEO & Founder of Kiernan Group Holdings. Dr. Kiernan, a 29-year veteran of Federal Law Enforcement, retiring as Assistant Director for the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information for the ATF, developed PWP, an approach to individual engagement and education to increase confidence and decrease victimization in active threat environments. To Learn More, please visit https://www.gotpreparedness.comKGH. Courtesy of KGH and YouTube.)
When Workplace Violence occurs, the impacts on survivors can be debilitating.
The road to recovery is different for everyone. Violent incidents can affect victims and their families for many years.
As part of a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, organizations should include an Employee Assistance Program or an alternative Employee Support Program that focuses on providing essential services to the victims for both their short-term and long-term recovery.
KGH believes that preparedness is a mindset.
One that is easy to learn, easy to implement and a skill which transcends all areas of our lives, not only where we work.
Our mission is to educate, engage and empower individuals and organizations with the confidence and the capabilities to effectively respond when an ordinary day turns extraordinary.
(Learn More about the critical importance of situational awareness, which is part of KGH scenario-based trainings, and virtual education. Courtesy of KGH and YouTube.)
KGH is a global service provider of risk-based services, and includes tailored assessments, scenario-based training, and virtual education.
A dynamic company filled with “pracademics”— practitioners with earned experience supported by academic rigor and driven to make the world a safer place.
A preparedness mindset is something that is easy to learn, easy to apply and should be as automatic as buckling a seatbelt, done without thinking because we have accepted safety while driving as a personal responsibility.
With active shooter and workplace violence incidents on the rise, that same kind of learned behavior needs to be accepted as a personal responsibility and become a part of everything we do for when an ordinary day turns extraordinary.
KGH has developed a methodologically sound approach to educating through threats that is as applicable in the classroom as it is in the boardroom.
The G.O.T. Preparedness Platform was designed using adult education principles which are learner-centric.
GET SKILLS IN AWARENESS, PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND RECOVERY
It is interactive, in compliance with all national level standards and guidance and provides a data repository of reference materials for both educators and practitioners.
KGH Returns to Compete in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
Kiernan Group Holdings
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Best Homeland Security Education Program
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Preparedness Without Paranoia™
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*KGH and Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, CEO & Founder of Kiernan Group Holdings were also recognized in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
As a 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program Competitor, KGH’s ‘G.O.T. Preparedness’ will be competing against the industry’s leading providers of Homeland Security Education Solutions.
The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Desktop Alert.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
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| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
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| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
Good luck to Kiernan Group Holdings (KGH) on becoming a Winner in the 2019 American Security Today’s Homeland Security Awards Program!
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.
The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program drew an overwhelming response from industry leaders with a record high number of corporate and government nominations received, as well as record breaking ‘ASTORS’ Presentation Luncheon Attendees, with top firms trying to register for the exclusive high – end luncheon and networking opportunity – right up to the event kickoff on Wednesday afternoon, at the ISC East registration!
Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:
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- Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
2018 Champions Edition
See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’
Enter Today to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!
And be sure to Register for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!
Why the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?
American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
Why American Security Today?
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 70,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
The old traditional security marketplace has been covered by a host of security publications that have changed little over many years.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that provides our readers with solutions to their challenges.
Our Editorial staff provides a full plate of topics for our AST monthly digital editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts.
The editorial calendar and AST’s high drawing website features 23 different Technology and Marketing Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities and Emergency Response among others.
These sectors are part of the new integration, where these major applications communicate with one another in a variety of solutions to protect our cities and critical infrastructure.
AST has Expanded readership into vital Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other Potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – enticing targets for extremist or lone wolf attacks due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
(Learn More about KGH scenario-based training, and virtual education with offering, ‘Preparedness Without Paranoia’ (PWP). Courtesy of KGH and YouTube.)
Contact KGH today at (571) 290-0260 or visit www.gotpreparedness.com to learn more about their award-winning services.
