This week, we’re focusing on workplace violence and how it affects you and your staff on the jobsite.
The impact of workplace violence can range from psychological issues to physical injury, or even death. Violence can occur in any workplace and among any kind of worker, especially in construction.
By the Numbers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20,870 workers in the private industry experienced trauma from nonfatal workplace violence in 2019. These incidents required days away from work.
Of those victims who experienced trauma from workplace violence:
- 68% were female
- 65% were aged 25 to 54
- 70% worked in the healthcare and social assistance industry
- 21% required 31 or more days away from work to recover, and 20% involved 3 to 5 days away from work
A recent incident at a Meta construction site in which a noose was left attached to a tool of a construction worker is an example of how workplace violence can seep onto your jobsite. These incidents are occurring more and more frequently in the construction industry according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
What You Can Do
Site managers can get ahead of the rise of discrimination and violence in the workplace by learning to protect employees affected by acts of violence and letting these employees know how to protect themselves.
Our Violence Prevention course can help you and your team identify and navigate workplace violence incidents by knowing, teaching, and enforcing anti-violence and anti-discrimination policies so that students and staff can take another step towards a more holistic, safer work environment.
