45.    PREVENTION OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE:

Violence inflicted upon employees may come from many sources-i.e. members, third parties such as robbers or muggers and may include co-worker violence.  Health Care and Social Service workers have faced a significant risk of job-related violence.  The goal of Touchstone Services, Inc. is to eliminate or reduce worker exposure to conditions that lead to injury from violence.

Violence Prevention:

Ø  Employees should report any potential situations that may result in workplace violence.

Ø  Employees will be familiar with the members that at tend, by reading the individuals plan of service, to be aware of members with a past history of violence.  If this becomes a concern, a plan of service will be developed and implemented to address this and the employees will be trained and follow this plan.

Ø  Employees will be familiar with Safe Clubhouse Policies and enforce the consequences whenever these policies are violated.

Ø  Employees will always be familiar with the environment and reduce the risk of violence by using the confrontational avoidance techniques attached to this policy and trained in the Group Home Curriculum, provided by the Community Mental Health program.

Ø  Employees will ask members and/or guests that are agitated and causing a potential risk for violence to leave the building.

Ø  Securing assistance from the local police by calling 911 is acceptable if there is serious risk of workplace violence.

Post-Incident Response

Ø  An Unusual Incident Report will be written for any facts or threats of violence against an employee, member or guest.  Policies related to Incident Reporting will be followed, including securing medical attention, if necessary. 

Ø  The Peer Support Group, the Safety Committee and/or the Administrative Team will review all cases of actual incidents of violence or threats of violence toward any employee, member or guest.  Recommendations will be made by the appropriate group to prevent this type of incident from occurring again and will also address any corrective measures that need to be taken.

Ø  Debriefing for the victim will be provided in a confidential and private area.

Ø  If the employee has been assaulted or battered they will be assisted in the process to file a complaint with the police.

Training

Ø  Employees will receive training on this policy upon hire and have it reviewed annually.

Ø  Any plans that address potential acts of aggression will be in-serviced to all employees.

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