2021 Autumn Leader - Workplace Violence

VOL8/NO4/AUTUMN 2 021

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CONTENTS FEATURES

16

12

30

By Dr. Steve Webb

By Brian Bennett, PhD, CSP

Workplace Violence: Are You Ready?

Active Shooter and Hostile Events

16

36

By Phil La Duke

By Adele L. Abrams, Esq.,

Mass Shootings ARE Workplace Violence

26

The Employee Against the Dog

By Mitzi Robinson, President/ Founder, Bulli Ray Occupational Dog Bite Safety

VOL 8 | NO 4 | AUTUMN 2 0 21

Workplace Violence Prevention

CMSP, President, Law Office of Adele L. Abrams, P.C.

40

Workplace Violence The Active Shooter Drill Training Is Not Prevention, It’s Mitigation

By Frank King, The Mental Health Comedian

COLUMNS 6 8

26

vpppa.org

Message from the Chairperson Women in Safety

SECTIONS 44 53 54

Membership Corner Infographic Corner Ad Index

Leader—Autumn 2021

5

A Message From the VPPPA Chairperson Hello my fellow VPPPA members,

F

irst and foremost, I want to begin by sharing how great it was to interact (both inperson and virtually) with everyone at this year’s National Safety+ Symposium. For the first time in almost two years, we were able to come together and execute the

conference that we all know and love, despite circumstances surrounding the pandemic.

To those who joined us face-to-face in Nashville, I’d like to express a great thanks for complying with COVID-19 protocols that were set in place; your collective effort helped ensure the safety and health of those in attendance, and ultimately played a large part in making this year’s Symposium a smashing success.

While there are countless moments worth highlighting from this year’s event— statements made by our keynote speakers, Jim Frederick from OSHA, and Jimmy Hart from the AFL-CIO, warrant mention. Both Frederick and Hart stressed the importance of increasing collaboration with VPP participants, this, along with seeing OSHA and Labor assure all of us they support VPP and will in the foreseeable future was great to hear.

Additionally, each workshop speaker went above and beyond delivering their expertise.

I wholeheartedly believe that we will continue to look back on this year’s Symposium as a reminder of the resilience and dedication held by those a part of VPPPA.

Meanwhile, the exhibit hall contained a great deal of new world-class safety products, many of which I had not heard of or seen before, from an amazing group of vendors! On top of this, the networking events were an absolute hit, as being able to connect safely in-person, with faces both new and familiar, reaffirmed my appreciation and commitment to this Association. Given all of these wonderful highlights, I wholeheartedly believe that we will continue to look back on this year’s Symposium as a reminder of the resilience and dedication held by those a part of VPPPA. While the Symposium has come and passed, we want to ensure everyone that the VPPPA has not stopped working to provide you with the best member benefits. Our fantastic staff at VPPPA’s National Office continues to demonstrate why the VPPPA is the premier safety and health organization. We are expanding our online education services and free member webinars, so please be sure to regularly visit our newly revamped website to find more information on our upcoming virtual education events. Additionally, I am excited to share that you will soon be receiving information on our virtual conference occurring early next year! Also, we expect to have our electronic annual self-evaluation completed by the end of this year – those who complete the annual evaluation process will notice changes that help organize and streamline this task. Lastly, we are expanding our membership department, because of this we kindly request that when you receive the membership benefit survey, please fill it out to ensure we are providing relevant benefits to our membership.

I am beyond honored to work with such a remarkable group of passionate individuals in our National and Regional Board, as well as our National Office staff. We are excited about the future of the VPP program and the many ways the VPPPA will continue to support it.

I thank each of you for unwavering support, and for being such an important part of this journey going forward.

— Terry Schulte, Chairman—National VPPPA Board of Directors We are better together!

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Leader—Autumn 2021

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Guest Author: Dianne Grote Adams, MS, CIH, CSP, CPEA, FAIHA President and Founder of Safex, Inc., Westerville, Ohio

Women in Safety

Improving Communication Skills to Influence Safety Culture VPPPA Presents…

Women in Safety

VPPPA is excited to introduce a new column for the Leader magazine: Women in Safety. While the safety industry is still a male-dominated industry, the number of women is increasing each year. It’s important to identify and communicate the issues that women face.

Each issue of the Leader, we will be including an article from a prominent woman working in the safety and health industry.

If you, or someone you know, would like to write for this column, please contact VPPPA at communications@ vpppa.org.

A

s health, safety and environmental (HSE) professionals, we recognize that

safety is good business. While we’ve spent years honing our technical skills, we often don’t spend time developing our business acumen and communication and leadership skills. I consistently assess my journey as an HSE leader and look for opportunities to improve my effectiveness.

When I sat down years ago to assess my strengths using the Clifton Strengths assessment, I learned that my biggest one is being a learner. This means I have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve.

I am continually reading and listening to podcasts to develop my soft skills. John C. Maxwell, Marcus Buckingham, Gallup and Simon Sinek are my primary resources, so far.

I discovered having a strong business understanding and improving my leadership and communication skills has enhanced my effectiveness as

including those who we must

advice by avoiding the words

influence, and discover what

“no” or “don’t do that” when

motivates them.

observing unsafe behaviors.

Not everyone naturally shares the HSE professionals’

the process of learning about

verbalizing what the desired

commitments to mitigating

new concepts.

behavior should be. This also

risk, so we may have to

works at home with children!

identify other motivating

Recently, I listened to Simon

Leader—Autumn 2021

to know our audience,

of elephants. I’m using his

Instead, I’m practicing

an HSE leader. Plus, I just love

8

the negative, so we all thought

Sinek’s “How to Stop Holding

One thing I’ve learned over

Yourself Back.” It was a great

time is that building a culture

Our coworkers often have

refresher on the inability for

of safety requires us to sell

competing motivations or

the brain to comprehend the

our ideas before we can lead

don’t recognize the risk that is

negative. Sinek illustrated this

change. Influence and trust

obvious to us. Ultimately, it is

point by telling the audience to

are necessary fundamentals to

our responsibility to educate

not think of an elephant. And

relationships which are built

them on the risk and get their

guess what, you, me and the

upon communication. Effective

support by appealing to their

audience couldn’t comprehend

communication requires us

interests and motivations.

factors to get their support.

vpppa.org

That requires us to learn

beneficial. You’ll learn how

about different styles of

others perceive your approach

communication, and how we

and identify opportunities for

can address our audiences in a

you to share information in a

variety of methods.

way that those with different motivators can respond

Communication is key A quick Google search will

turn up many ways to assess your communication style and find what motivates you. My company recently used True Colors® to assess our personalities and communication styles to improve our team’s effectiveness. In an ideal world, there’s a huge benefit in conducting a company-

positively to your message.

For example, I’m an analytical and logical communicator and some of my coworkers don’t respond to my bulleted approach to speaking and writing. They want more information, more background, as well as more personal connection. While I don’t naturally communicate in their preferred way, I have learned to add context and stories to my bullets to get

wide communication and

them to engage. So, when I

personality assessment, but if

have an important message to

that’s not possible, assessing

share, I must take a little extra

your own personality and

time to prepare the message

communication style is very

considering the various

vpppa.org

Leader—Autumn 2021

9

performance, such as return

Leader Within You”, the

on investment (ROI) and the

author, John C. Maxwell,

wise use of resources and

explains that influence is a

meeting objectives. They must

skill that can be developed.

see the ROI and value in what

He goes on to explain that

is being proposed to respond

once we are beyond the first

positively. Once I understood

level of leadership, a level he

that, I discovered that I must

refers to as positional leaders,

explain the HSE needs in

we become more influential.

these terms. Some executives’

To grow as a leader, we must

motivators are different than

develop relationships. As you

mine, not wrong or right, just

develop relationships, people

different. I began to explain

begin to follow because they

accident costs in terms of

want to and because of what

product produced. Using

you have accomplished for the

the profit of our product, I

organization. That is when

calculated the costs and then

change towards a culture of

visually shared pictures of

safety can occur.

the amount of product we put

Understanding where our business leaders come from is crucial for effectively communicating the value of a safety culture. communication styles at my company. In some cases, I have a short, bulleted version and a long version with context to appeal to employees with different communication styles. Understanding different communication styles and

Among Equals”1, the authors

the costs of an incident. That

make it clear that our

visual helped our production

effectiveness depends more

team recognize the value in

on our people skills than our

risk mitigation because they

technical skills. I’m sure you

knew how many resources it

have heard “People don't care

took to make that product.

how much you know until they

It was no longer just about

know how much you care”2, our

people getting hurt because we

challenge, as HSE professionals,

appealed to their production

is to continue to develop our

and financial focus.

people skills.

Business leaders also want to

Speak in their language

10

Leader—Autumn 2021

Not long ago, I received

see a plan for implementation.

the ultimate compliment

Most business leaders’ plates

from a large client. He said,

are very full, and they don’t

“Thanks for your leadership

appreciate a problem being

and commitment to our

presented without a proposed

organization. Your passion and

resolution. I realized it’s

ability to effectively summarize

my job to communicate

is a gift.” It was apparent that

the ROI and value of a HSE

continuing to hone my soft

investment, as well as the

skills and understand their

plan to implement the

business operations provides

request, including the required

an opportunity to influence

resources. Once I learned

their journey to a culture

to present requests in that

of safety. That’s what HSE

manner, I found decisions

leadership is all about.

came more quickly.

how people respond is worth the time.

And in the book “First

in the dumpster to pay for

Hone the power of influence

As HSE professionals, we must influence the behaviors of our

Understanding where our

teams to reduce risk. Influence

business leaders come from

is an outcome of effective

is crucial for effectively

leadership. Since most HSE

communicating the value

professionals influence beyond

of a safety culture. Business

their direct reports, they have

leaders are measured and

the obligation to be effective

motivated by financial

leaders. In “Developing the

Dianne Grote Adams, MS, CIH, CSP, CPEA, FAIHA, is the President and Founder of Safex, Inc., an occupational health, safety and environmental firm in Westerville, Ohio. Her passion is mentoring leaders to positively influence their safety culture.

REFERENCES: 1

2

First Among Equals, Patrick J. McKenna and David H. Maister Theodore Roosevelt vpppa.org

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AR E YO U R E ADY WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Workplace violence has become one, if not THE primary concern of the 21st century workforce. And because of this, incorporating workplace violence prevention and preparedness initiatives into employee training has proved essential, now more than ever. Oftentimes, we mistakenly think that acts of violence will never happen at our place of work, to our families, or to us personally. However, after years of researching mass shootings and visiting organizations and communities that have experienced extreme violence, I have found that the reality of encountering violence at work is not a matter of if, but when.

By Dr. Steve Webb

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Leader—Autumn 2021

vpppa.org

W

orkplace violence affects all occupations and all individuals who go

to work every single day. It has become so prevalent that on January 10, 2017, OSHA issued a directive on Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Workplace Violence (CPL 02-01-058) that mandates businesses provide training on the prevention of workplace violence and mandates that organizations address “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the worksite.”

Let me be crystal clear, any person connected to an individual, whether by proximity or relationship, may threaten, harass, or injure employees while they are on the job. According to the FBI, workplace violence is recognized as its own category of violent crime that calls for distinct responses from employers as well as law enforcement.

On February 15, 2019, a mass shooting took place at Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois—my home state. Six people, including the perpetrator Gary Martin, died and six others were injured.

The five victims fatally shot were employees at the plant including a human resources

vpppa.org

respond accordingly. Although his fellow workers reportedly saw him distressed and displaying suspicious behavior on the day of his disciplinary meeting, their minds refused to believe that the threats he had made were real, and in turn, none of them responded to the obvious indicators. Ultimately, five lives were lost and countless others remain forever affected—simply because this worksite provided its employees with poor training.

The same has happened in a multitude of mass shootings

According to the FBI, workplace violence is recognized as its own category of violent crime that calls for distinct responses from employers as well as law enforcement.

throughout history, particularly

manager, a plant manager, a

in schools where obvious

mold operator, a stock room

warning signs were ignored

attendant, a forklift operator,

because the people most at

and a 21-year-old Northern

risk of being the recipient of a

Illinois University student

violent act, were never included

on his first day as a human

in the real-life, present-day

resources intern. A sixth plant

prevention training that would

employee sustained gunshot

have helped them identify

wounds during the shooting,

those signs and ultimately,

but survived. What was so

save their lives. Prior to this

important about this event?

Aurora event, there was little

The perpetrator told his fellow

research that existed in relation

workers he was going to do

to businesses, and the research

it—he was going to kill them all

that was out there focused

if he got fired—and they didn’t

mainly on acts such as patient Leader—Autumn 2021

13

So, what is a threat? OSHA defines a threat as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the worksite.” Within the workplace we find bullying, physical attacks, degrading comments, intimidation, and harassments.

Any of these threats can have a negative impact on well-being of the workers and according to recent research, the 21st Century workforce has named “personal safety” as their primary concern. If these behaviors are not addressed and allowed to continue, the work environment can often form a contagious downward

Within the workplace we find bullying, physical attacks, degrading comments, intimidation, and harassments.

Any of these threats can have a negative impact on well-being of the workers.

assaults in healthcare and the

armed, well-trained security

high risks facing taxi and Uber

at a facility, it didn’t stop the

or Lyft drivers and banks, and

loss of life at Columbine High

certainly convenience store

School. It didn’t deter the

clerks. The ramifications of a

attack in Parkland, FL, and it

wrongful death situation can

didn’t stop one of my friend’s

destroy a business and the days

children from taking a bullet

of playing the blame game are

to the neck at Marshall County

over. The training, or better

High School in Benton, KY.

said the quality of training, rests

There were armed officers at

solely with management. So,

all of those institutions and

where do you start? You stop

when you are dealing with a

ignoring the fact that the world

mentally unstable, most likely

has changed—the workforce

suicidal individual—they are

has changed—and you need to

counting on not leaving the

change with it to identify the

scene anyway.

risks of a new world. A world where technology changes

security is a mitigation technique

so rapidly that the flow of

is true, it certainly cannot be

information is endless—and so

the only, or even the primary

is the anxiety that comes with it.

mitigation tactic. In fact, proper

Now, let’s look at the risks.

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Leader—Autumn 2021

While saying that armed

training in workplace violence

spiral hostile culture that could lead to a loss of production and possibly, exposure to liability. Failure to promptly address these behaviors can certainly have financial consequences within the courts and settlements.

So, what makes us liable?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has listed three main ways the courts look at liability.

Employers may be held liable if they: 1. negligently hired an employee; 2. negligently supervised an employee; or 3. negligently trained an employee. Approximately two million employees have endured some type of workplace violence on an annual basis and approximately 25% of workplace violence

OSHA’s directive focuses on

mitigation has been fairly

two primary questions to

defined in the courts as they are

determine whether you are

consistently finding that proper

liable: 1. “Did the employer

training includes instruction and

recognize potential hazards

practice. Simply showing a video

in the workplace?” and 2.

or lecturing is not enough. In

“Were there feasible means

other words, gone are the days

of preventing or minimizing

when you can just show a video

a proper training. If you have

such hazards?” Many schools

and certify that you are trained

to run, hide OR fight, it is too

over the years, believed that

for paperwork purposes. Gone

late. The damage is done, and

having a police officer on

are the days where violence only

the lawsuits will begin. The

campus equated to a quality

occurs in large metropolitan

negative view of your business

prevention plan. While there are

areas as it is finding its way to

will most certainly affect you

definitely more positives than

rural America—finding its way

and those you love. Wouldn’t

negatives regarding having

to you.

it be more productive, more

goes unreported. So, possibly a quarter of a million people each year are affected by this violence but still yet, most businesses believe that some type of ‘run, hide, fight’ training will suffice as

vpppa.org

cost-effective, and certainly

will the narrative be that it

person—not just the employee

make more sense to prevent the

was completely unexpected

and that is what our nation’s

violence from occurring?

and another sad (nationally

best workers are looking for.

televised of course) interview,

They want someone who

Time and time again, we as humans have proven that we

this time with one of your

do have common sense and

employees who say “I can’t

we do strive to improve—but

believe it happened here!”

research confirms that what

There are countless aspects

we really want is routine.

to quality violence prevention

Why? Because it is safe—it

training. Wouldn’t it make

is orderly. What we are

sense to understand the

discussing in this article is

working conditions which may

the day it is no longer routine.

increase the risk of workplace

The day may have started

violence? How about victim

as usual, but it is about to

characteristics as well as

become deadly. Ask yourself

perpetrator characteristics so

this…when the investigation

you and your employees can

is over—when the proverbial

self-evaluate and ultimately,

dust has settled on the

learn how to conduct threat

event—what will the FBI and

assessments yourself? The

local authorities say about you

good news is that good

and how you were doing your

training will not only help you

very best to prevent this? Will

in the workplace, it helps you

they tell reporters that due to

stay safe when you go to the

your extensive training, there

mall, to Wal-Mart, to the park

were no loss of lives today and

to let your children play, or

you should be commended?

wherever you may go. Good,

Disaster was averted? Or,

consistent training helps the

cares about them at work and at home. Does your training provide that?

Dr. Steve Webb is a Certified Workplace Violence and Threat Assessment Specialist,

a nationally recognized safety

expert and author of the bestselling book Education in a

Violent World. He is an award-

winning educator, police officer and founder of Safe Secure Systems. He was awarded

by the National School Public

The good news is that good training will not only help you in the workplace, it helps you stay safe when you go to the mall, to Wal-Mart, to the park to let your children play, or wherever you may go.

Relations Association with the “Distinguished Service Award of Excellence” and named

a “Leader Among Us” by the

Southern Business Journal. Dr.

Webb is an A.L.I.C.E. Active Shooter Response Trainer & R.A.I.D.E.R. Solo Engagement Instructor. www.drstevewebb.com

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Leader—Autumn 2021

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39,000 AMERICANS DIE FROM GUN VIOLENCE EVERY YEAR— AN AVERAGE OF 100 PER DAY

MASS SH OTINGS

By Phil La Duke

Nobody likes to think or talk about mass shootings or workplace

violence, so it‘s no wonder that it seldom occurs to people that mass shootings are in fact a leading cause of workplace violence. People

work at schools, hospitals, concerts, movie theaters, and virtually every place a mass shooting has occurred was somebody’s workplace.

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Leader—Autumn 2021

I wrote Lone Gunman: Rewriting

go in for that sort of stuff”. My

that not many people want to

the Handbook on Workplace

publicist was appalled—she

talk about workplace violence

Violence Prevention as a guide

said he was chuckling when he

or mass shootings. Despite the

for people who wanted better

said it; then, that very weekend,

fact that 39,000 Americans die

advice than “run, hide, and

two women were murdered

from gun violence every year.1

fight back” when dealing with

by their estranged “intimate”

a mad-dog killer. Following

partners (a term I learned in

about mass shootings and

a successful book signing

my research—a blanket word

workplace violence? Well,

in Metro Detroit I tried to

that covers everything from

for starters there is no

piggy-back on a speech I was

domestic partners to boy/

consistent definition or

slated to make on Workplace

girlfriend, to husband or wife)

universal definition of a “mass

Violence Prevention at a VPPPA

while at their workplaces

shooting.” Obviously, it’s

conference in New Orleans. I

along with several innocent

tough to get good statistics on

decided to have my publicist

bystanders were also killed.

a practice with no universal

reach out to the national

I thought that this type of

criteria, but many experts

bookstore chain’s New Orleans

attitude toward workplace

define a mass shooting as an

location. The manager told my

violence prevention would be

event where an armed person

publicist in a patronizing tone

an outlier, but as I probed the

(almost always a man) uses a

that “no, our customers don’t

subject a bit further, I found

firearm to injure or kill three

Why is it so hard to talk

vpppa.org

ARE WORKPLACE VI LENCE vpppa.org

Leader—Autumn 2021

17

54%

Non-public incidents

Public incident

MORE THAN HALF OF MASS SHOOTINGS ARE DOMESTIC VIOLENCERELATED.

30

20 Incidents

Everytown for Gun Safety.

"Mass Shootings in the United States, 2009–2019

10

1976

1986

1996

2006

incredibly remote, yet I still

wrote a pragmatic and useful

surprised how many people

buy lottery tickets. When it

(so others seem to think)

will push back that nearly

comes to mass shootings

guide to workplace violence

all mass shootings occur

people just shrug and say

prevention while soft pedaling

in someone’s workplace.

“what can I do?” Well the

the gun debate. Rather than

Consider the places where

answer to that is plenty.

shy away from that debate

shootings have occurred: a movie theater? Movie theaters have employees. A concert venue? Concert venues have employees. A school? A park?

A college campus? All of these locations have employees and therefore constitute workplaces. Whether a location has one worker or 10 thousand it is a workplace.

Besides the lack of

I explore the connection

When it comes to mass shootings

people just shrug and say “what

can I do?” Well the answer to that is plenty.

consistent language regarding mass shootings and workplace

Leader—Autumn 2021

0

or more people. You might be

some of the more notable mass

18

2016

between mass shootings and workplace violence in my next book. More than half of single shooter events (a polite way of saying mass murders) have a specific target identified, and while we can’t ignore that 46% of these events have no known target, we cannot rule that out either.

Despite the fact that there is no unified definition of what exactly constitutes a mass

I have to admit, I was a

shooting, another common

violence, the odds are you

coward when I wrote Lone

thread in almost all of the

won’t die at your job, and

Gunman. I didn’t want the

many definitions agree that

it’s even more of a longshot

readers to get so bogged down

there are differences in the

that if you die at work, it will

in a gun debate that they lost

events that take place in a

be the result of a homicide,

sight of the issue of workplace

private setting than that take

especially a mass shooting.

violence, but we will get back

place in a public setting. In a

But the chances of me winning

to that a bit later. Suffice

private setting, (the home or a

a multi-state lottery are also

to say I chickened out and

workplace not easily accessible vpppa.org

Percentage of Women and Men Killed by Type of Assailant Relative or domestic

42%

2% 20%

Robber

Coworker or work

15%

18%

10%

Student, patient

Inmate or detainee

33%

Women

11%

2%

Other or unspecified

to the public) there is almost always a specific target or targets, whereas in a public setting the primary driving

Men

8% 8%

Gender Disparity in Mass Shootings and Workplace Violence

Homicide is the number one

force is a high body count with

cause of death for women who

no known specific target (or

die in the workplace and many

even target groups). In short,

of the people I have talked to

no one really knows what

have argued that this statistic

drives someone to commit the

is misleading, because,

mass murder of strangers and

according to them, men

experts don’t agree on much...

are doing more of the most

except that the problem is

hazardous jobs. But this claim

getting worse. The chart above

doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.

(https://www.rand.org/research/

Jobs that involve working

gun-policy/analysis/essays/

with the public and handling

mass-shootings.html) seems

money are extremely

to show a flattening trend,

dangerous as compared with

however, experts now believe

many industries, and while

that the true metric should be

it is true that automobile

the length of time between the

31%

world) an employee’s death

The majority of women

during the work commute

murdered in the workplace

is not considered a work-

are killed by a relative or a

related injury.

domestic partner (42%)

A primary motivation

while another 10% are

for workplace violence is

murdered by students or

a domestic dispute. This is

patients, and 18% are killed

understandable since many

by a coworker.

victims of domestic abuse take refuge in the presumed

Only 2% of men on the other

safety of the workplace.

hand are only killed by

Unfortunately, many

intimate contacts. Coworkers

employers choose to turn a

and students are within 4%

blind eye toward the threat

points between the genders

of workplace violence and the

a troubling 31% are killed

target of the violence becomes

by unknown assailants. It

easy to locate, isolate, and kill.

is difficult to defend the

A comparison of these two

contention that homicide is

charts (based on information

the leading cause of death

from the Bureau of Labor

in the workplace for women

accidents will kill far more

Statistics) demonstrate the

because other things are

previous mass shooting and

people than a workplace

stark difference between the

killing men when women are

the subsequent mass shooting,

violence event, it is also true

type of person who attacks

21 times more likely to be

and this number is increasingly

that in the United States

women versus those who

murdered in the workplace

getting shorter.

(unlike many parts of the

attack men:

than men.

vpppa.org

Leader—Autumn 2021

19

Tips for preventing workplace violence

Despite the hand wringing and fretting about the helplessness

Top Robbery-Related Deaths by Occupation

that employers feel over preventing workplace violence there are many things an employer can do BEFORE an armed man intent on murder arrives at the workplace:

Employees likely to become victims (triggering a workplace attack): The single largest cause of

workplace violence is domestic

First-line supervisors 34% Cashiers 24%

violence that overflows into the workplace. Victims of domestic abuse are often ashamed, blame themselves,

Police 23%

and embarrassed that they

Taxi Drivers 19%

they find themselves. When victims leave their abusers, it alert their friends and families

Perhaps it would be

and even casual acquaintances

enlightening to consider the

that they might be in danger,

top jobs who are likely to die

but they seldom alert their

as a result of robbery related

employers. Even if victims

violence. As this chart indicates cashiers (a disproportionately female occupation) are killed in robberies just a little bit more frequently than police (a male dominated occupation) and yet the occupation most frequently killed during robberies are first-line supervisors. The fourth largest group of victims of robbery homicides are taxi drivers— vulnerable and frequently carrying sizable sums of cash.

It seems counter intuitive that the two occupations that hire the most women would be the most likely victims of homicide unless there is some other factor driving the killings. In other words, the contention

phone calls from their partner

• Not having cash or credit cards with them

• Skipping out on work, school, or social outings for no clear reason or because their partner “is waiting for them.”

• Wearing clothes that don’t

fit the weather, particularly long-sleeves or turtlenecks in summer.

• Working long hours (coming in early, working late) even

when their workload does not justify it.

• Overly quiet or atypically nonassertive.

• A change in personality.

• An increase in drug or alcohol use.

file restraining orders that INCLUDE their workplaces, it is not uncommon for them to tell their employers that their abusers are not allowed on the premises (including parking lots). It is important that no one blames the victim of domestic abuse for triggering an attack. A mass shooting is a deliberate, calculated assault

When victims leave their

abusers, it is highly likely that they will alert their friends and families

and even casual acquaintances

that they might be

in danger, but they seldom alert their employers.

on multiple targets. The key to identifying potential victims is to look at changes in behavior or routine, including:

• Bruises, scars, or other

signs that the individual has been assaulted

• Pinch scars (small red

bruises typically on the arm

Employees likely to become unhinged (triggering a workplace attack):

Single shooter events are the last-ditch attempt to create change; it is the act of someone

caused by a person violently

who is typically very controlling

in the workplace because men

grabbing another and tightly

and who feels that he or she

are far more likely to be doing

holding) the arm or neck

is out of options. His or her

that more women are murdered

jobs that may be at risk for a fatality but at relatively low

Leader—Autumn 2021

their partner or repeated

are in the situation in which

is highly likely that they will

20

• Constantly checking in with

• Excuses for injuries • Personality changes, like low

life is likely spiraling out of control. The single shooter in

risk for a homicide just doesn’t

self-esteem in someone who

the workplace is trying to exert

add up.

was always confident

the control he or she feels he or vpppa.org

What employees are most likely to come unhinged?

trigger a violent episode

Of course, there are no perfect

changes in their behavior,

alcohol or drug users (at least

predictors of a workplace lone

particularly from friendly

at the time of the attack)—they

gunman, and as I have stated

and sociable to sullen

may have been teetotalers

at length, you shouldn’t jump

and antisocial, or from

before their lives took an ugly

to any rash judgments about

quiet and reserved to loud

turn. These individuals have

an individual just because of

and bold. This change in

been given every chance and

a couple of suspicious or odd

behavior can also indicate

behaviors. That having been

drug use, which in itself

said, some of the warning

is also an indicator.

signs that an individual is

On the other hand,

she has lost. Workplace violence is also typically carried out by individuals who are heavy

typically are out of any sort of options. They carry a grudge for an injustice—real or imagined— and feel like they have no other alternative; they are cashing in their proverbial chips and going out in a blaze of glory and gore. Workplace violence is typically not motivated by hate, rather they are motivated by

often exhibit paradoxical

someone who is a potential

becoming unstable (and these

target for violence may

warning signs can apply

become withdrawn, quiet,

to both perpetrators and targets) include:

and antisocial.

° Lethargy or apathy.

• Behavioral changes

When a person feels that

° A marked change in

they are running out of

personality. One of the

options, this feeling of

first and most notable

malaise can manifest in

changes that something

shooter events are the one last

lethargy or apathy. The

is amiss in a person’s life

individual stops caring

act to demonstrate that the

is a sudden and marked

about the consequences

shooter still has some modicum

change in attitude.

and the day-to-day

of control over his or her life

Someone suffering from

mundanity of the job. This

and the lives of his victims.

outside stimuli that could

can apply to either the

desperation, defeat and fueled by alcohol or drugs. Single

A mass shooting is a deliberate, calculated assault on multiple targets. The key to identifying potential victims is to look at changes in behavior or routine.

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Leader—Autumn 2021

21

Workplace violence is typically not motivated by hate, rather they are motivated by desperation, defeat and fueled by alcohol or drugs.

perpetrator or the target

they should be considered

to him” or other ominous

as both are in a horrible

another red flag.

idioms. This defiance

environment from which

the form of pushing the

A worker who fails to

limits to test the extent to

and inappropriately

acknowledge his or her

which the authority figure

emotional. What, you

drop in performance, and

will allow them to behave

may ask, constitutes

blames others or claims

dysfunctionally. What’s

“inappropriate” behavior

that everyone is out to

worse is this defiance

or becoming “overly

get them may be prone

without consequence

emotional”? Crying over

to violence—although

serves to embolden the

the loss of a parent is

generally speaking this

behavior inviting even

appropriately emotional,

is just a personality

greater demonstrations

crying over the loss of a

type and it’s important

blue pen is not. To some

to recognize that a

extent overly emotional is

possibility of violent

in the eye of the beholder.

behavior is not the same

given up and honestly

But when you view the

as a propensity for violent

doesn’t consider or fear

behavior through the lens

behavior which is not the

consequences, long before

of workplace violence

same as a predictor or

this manifests in an

you need to concentrate

violent behavior. These

actual violent episode it

on dramatic changes

people will blame others

will likely show itself in

in behavior and subtle

for their mistakes and

recklessness, from taking

shifts. Often the feelings

make repeated excuses.

business extreme risks

of hopelessness and loss

They may accuse their

(like calling a customer

of control that precede

superiors of playing

obscene names) to theft

a single shooter event,

favorites or being “out

or destruction of company

result in emotional

to get them”. They will

property. In these

outbursts that are out

tend to look for reasons

extreme cases it’s almost

of character particularly

to take offense and will

as if the individual is

angry outbursts, crying

often take things very

inviting a trigger whether

jags, or pouting.

personally. These people

he knows it or not. This

will deflect criticism by

behavior coupled with the

threatening violence.

claiming that “everyone”

other behavioral changes

Joking about violence

is doing it and may

is an observable prelude

means that consciously

actually believe that they

to a violent outburst.

or unconsciously the

are being singled out

person telling the joke is

for punishment.

° Becoming overly

thinking about violence.

° Defiance of authority.

of defiance.

° Recklessness. The lone gunman has

° Obsession with violent films or imagery. Not everyone who is a fan

The typical person who

of A Clockwork Orange

not the same as planning

perpetrates workplace

is a seething sociopath

violence, but it is another

violence can hold

waiting to explode,

checkmark on our list of

grudges—especially

but the person who is

indicators of workplace

against his or her

obsessed, and I chose

violence. Threatening

supervisor—like a

that term carefully, with

violence, even in a non-

junkyard dog with a

violence is more likely

threatening tone, is far

fresh bone. He or she

to perpetrate violence

more serious and should

will likely become openly

than someone who is not.

be dealt with swiftly

defiant and voice his or

Here again, the people

and decisively. These

her lack of respect for the

obsessed with violence

threats can be spoken or

company, the supervisor,

and gore who act on this

made through emails, in

and the executives. They

are statistical outliers—if

conversation, or subtle

often will talk about

every immature man or

innuendo. Someone who

the bad things that will

adolescent boy who was

jokes about violence more

happen to the person

extremely interested

often than not is not

against whom he or she

in violence when on

someone who will commit

has the grudge by saying

murderous rampages

the acts about which he

things like, “don’t worry,

there wouldn’t be

jokes, but then again,

he’ll get what’s coming

anyone left to kill. I am

Thinking about violence is

Leader—Autumn 2021

of authority may take

and delusional thoughts.

they can see no way out.

° Joking about or

22

° Persecution complexes

vpppa.org

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Perhaps most important is to encourage everyone in the organization that if they see something suspicious, to say something to a person in authority, and do something like getting to safety or monitoring the situation until help arrives.

repeating this so often

talk about Fight Club”,

that it’s getting on my

you’re not IN fight club,

OWN nerves, but one or

you are in a position of

or tiredness. High levels

two indicators does not a

authority, and you have a

of stress can manifest as

murderous-maniac make.

responsibility to talk about

vague aches and pains,

what physical changes you

lack of energy, or other

have observed. Be sure

vague illnesses. Too often

that you don’t interrogate

in our society, we dismiss

the worker, but express

an overly stressed worker

in compassionate terms

as a hypochondriac or a

your concern for their

crybaby. These symptoms

well- being. Indications of

are not imaginary and

fighting can be indicative

acting in a way that tells

of either an abuser or

the worker that you don’t

an abused worker and in

sympathize can be another

either case it should not

building block in the road

° Hostility toward women.

A disproportionate

number of violent men have a deep-seated hostility toward women, particularly women in positions of authority.

Most women hating men are savvy enough to keep their opinions to themselves, but they’re still out there and they are

be ignored.

potentially dangerous.

° Watery eyes and blotchy

• Physical changes

skin. Watery eyes and

° Poor hygiene, wearing

blotchy skin can indicate

° Complaints about a

vague feeling of illness

to an explosion. Also, a victim of domestic violence may exhibit these same symptoms. Intervening early can save lives.

dirty clothing. It’s one

a change in diet, physical

thing if someone has body

illness or abuse, or

odor from the day you

drug/alcohol abuse.

is to encourage everyone in

Together with these

the organization that if they

other indicators, they

see something suspicious, to

can add up to an unstable

say something to a person in

individual, or simply an

authority, and do something

insomniac. Either way,

like getting to safety or

there is nothing wrong

monitoring the situation

with a show of genuine

until help arrives. There is no

concern, like asking, “do

reason to create a workplace of

you feel okay?”

chronic unease.

hired them (and why for the love of all that’s holy did you hire stinky?) and quite another if the body odor develops suddenly and is in conjunction with other physical changes.

Tread lightly here. You are within your rights to confront a worker about

Perhaps most important

poor hygiene, but you cannot pry about physical conditions that might be causing said odors. Here again, there is a gulf of difference between Jimmy in the mailroom who likes to skip his morning shower and throw on yesterday’s shirt, so he can get an extra 10 minutes of sleep, and Joe the normally fastidiously dressed salesman who starts coming in one day looking like a mud wrestler and smelling like a honey dipper. In both cases, friendly, nonadversarial coaching is appropriate.

° Bruising, cuts, or other

Phil La Duke is a popular speaker & writer with more than 2,500 works in print. He has contributed to Authority, Buzzfeed, Entrepreneur, Monster, Thrive Global, and many more magazines and is published on all inhabited continents. He is the author of three books and a contributor to one more. His first book is a visceral, no-holds-barred look at worker safety, I Know My Shoes Are Untied! Mind Your Own Business. An Iconoclast’s View of Workers’ Safety. His second book Lone Gunman: Rewriting the Handbook On Workplace Violence Prevention which deals with workplace violence, particularly directed at women, is listed as #16 on Pretty Progressive magazine’s list of 49 books that powerful women study in detail. His third book, Blood In My Pockets Is Blood On Your Hands was recently released and will be followed by Work-Home Life Imbalance: The Location Of The Workplace Has Changed But The Potential For Violence Remains due to be released in December.

La Duke also contributed a chapter of 1% Safer, a not-for-profit book written by the “top game-changers and global thought leaders.” Phil is listed in the top 20 experts in the Future of Work by Expert File.

Follow Phil on Twitter @philladuke, on Facebook at www.facebook. com/Phil-La-Duke-320996002174991 or read his weekly blog www.philladuke.wordpress.com In addition to his extensive writing, La Duke is currently employed as a COVID Compliance and Production Safety Consultant for the film and television industry.

indications of fighting.

While the first rule of

“Fight Club'' is you don’t

24

Leader—Autumn 2021

REFERENCE 1

www.giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-violence-statistics vpppa.org

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THE

EMPLOYEE

I’ve been training company employees Occupational Dog Bite Safety for over 28 years. Many employees have been both brave and gracious enough to share their personal experiences. We use these accounts to help other employees stay safe. The story I’m about to share is one that I will never forget. Unfortunately, I have heard too many of them.

By Mitzi Robinson, President/Founder, Bulli Ray Occupational Dog Bite Safety

26

Leader—Autumn 2021

vpppa.org

DOGS

THE

J

oyce, a meter reader with 20 years of field experience, was on her regular route.

She came to a home that usually had no dogs. However, on this particular day, as she approached she noticed there stood four pit bull type dogs. Joyce immediately recognized the danger associated with approaching multiple dogs and counted

herself lucky. Had the dogs been in the home, rather than in plain sight, they may have been released after she entered the yard. When finishing her route, she returned to her service center and spoke to her manager, he instructed her not to enter until someone went out to speak with the customer. After speaking to the customer, they agreed to build an enclosure to hold their dogs when the meter reader needed to enter the yard.

Two months later Joyce returned to find the dogs were locked in a wooden enclosure.

The customer had caged the dogs as promised. However, she still felt unsafe. She had promised her manager she would go into the yard and read the meter. She entered the yard walking toward the meter side of the house. In doing so, it was necessary to walk

vpppa.org

Leader—Autumn 2021

27

dogs, everyone had evacuated the premises, including the dogs. It was determined that this residence had been coined as a drug house, and the dogs served as protection for the dealers inside.

Lessons learned from Joyce’s attack:

1. Listen to your inner voice!

We know that you want to do your job, however no matter who you promised, never enter a yard if everything in your being is telling you “DO NOT ENTER.” Many employees have saved themselves after listening to their inner voice. Men and Woman!

2. Adrenaline can be a key past the wooden structure

or the combination of genes

since they did not have collars.

containing the aggressive dogs.

or drives they possess. This

Only weighing 125-pounds,

She saw that the dogs were

situation will shift the dogs into

Joyce was able to lift the

enraged with her presence.

their predatory drive.

attacking dogs off the ground.

Barking, growling, hitting the

The dogs were able to

Walking both dogs towards

factor in survival, as it was for Joyce. Her adrenaline gave her the strength to carry two dogs weighing over 100-pounds!

3. Self-defense classes can be

enclosure as hard as they could.

squeeze between the bushes,

the gate. Thankfully, she left

Joyce was trying to hurry to get

biting Joyce in the face and

the gate unlatched and was

in and out of the yard as quickly

neck. Joyce tried using her

able to push it open. Normally,

as she could. She was standing

arms to keep her face covered.

she would have shut the gate

in front of the meter, she heard

The dogs were too strong, they

completely but since the dogs

wood breaking behind her. As

pushed her hands and arms

were in an enclosure, she felt

she turned toward the noise,

away, biting her several times

it was OK to leave it unlatched.

5. Carry something to put

the first dog hit her in the face,

in the face and neck. At that

She pushed the gate open, still

between you and the

taking her to the ground. She

point, Joyce hears the back door

holding the dogs in front of

beneficial to the control of your adrenaline.

4. Make sure you know your exits before entering a property or residence.

attacking dog.

fell into the bushes beneath the

to house open thinking help

her getting bit on the hands

6. Remember: A dog will bite

meter. The bushes did protect

was on the way. She screamed

and arms. Her only thought

the first thing it comes

parts of her body. The dogs

“HELP ME”, “HELP ME!”

is to get into her company

to. As far as the dog is

were forced to run on top of her

Never dreaming the person

truck to her radio. Now she

concerned whatever you

and across her body. Joyce did

would say “I CAN’T HELP YOU,

will need to throw the dogs

carry smells like you, so it

what her and so many others

SORRY!” The owner then slams

away from the truck door to

were told to do should you ever

the door closed.

avoid getting bit or possibly

is you.

7. If you are caught with

Joyce now realizes no one

taken to the ground again. She

nothing, look for something

stay on the ground and to cover

is coming to help and realizes

throws them over the hood of

she needs do whatever she can

the vehicle. Once safely in the

around you to put between

your head.

Dogs are a combination of

to survive. She starts violently

truck she calls for help. The

five drives. Prey, Play, Defense,

kicking the dogs. The weakest

ambulance, police along with

Food and Sex. Each individual

dog backs up and does not

her manager come to

drive will be different. Some

return. She aggressively grabs

her rescue.

have more play drive, while

one dog between her legs.

others have more defense.

This dog was also stunned

came out to update her family

Every dog is different.

and wanted to get away from

and co-workers. She tells them

her. This left the two most

she had to stop counting stiches

a pack of dogs. All breeds in

dominate aggressive dogs. In a

at eight hundred. Unfortunately,

this situation will be in their

heightened sense of adrenalin,

by the time the police and

predatory drive. No matter

she grabs the two dogs by

animal control got back to the

what task they were created for,

their loose skin on their necks

residence to confiscate the

be knocked down by dog: to

Joyce was being attacked by

28

Leader—Autumn 2021

In the hospital, her daughter

you and the attacking dog.

8. Don’t ever expect others to come to your rescue.

Assume you are going to save yourself!

9. Don’t say, “I could never do what Joyce did!” What other choice would you have?

Mitzi Robinson is the President/Founder, Bulli Ray Occupational Dog Bite Safety. vpppa.org

DOG BITE STATISTICS DogsBite.org recorded 46 fatal dog attacks in 2020. Pit bulls contributed to 72% (33) of these deaths, over 16 times higher than any other dog breed. During this pandemic year, media reports of fatal dog mauling’s fell by 45%. In response, our nonprofit sent out 30 FOIAs to various offices and uncovered 6 unreported deaths in 2020. The last time the CDC collected breed data about dogs involved in fatal human attacks was 1998.

Pit bulls have killed over 440 Americans since.

46

U.S. dog bite-related fatalities occurred in 2020.

Despite being regulated in Military Housing areas and over 900 U.S. cities, pit bulls contributed to 72% (33) of these deaths. Pit bulls make up about 6.2% of the total U.S. dog population.

67% Pit bulls (380 deaths)

16 YEAR U.S. DOG BITE FATALITIES 2005–2020 During the 16-year period of 2005 to 2020, canines killed

568

25% Not involving pit bulls or rottweilers (142 deaths involved 37 different breeds) In 2020, the combination of pit bulls (33), additional bull breeds (4) and mastiff-type guard dogs and war dogs (3)—the types used to create "baiting" bull breeds and fighting breeds—accounted for 87% (40) of all dog biterelated deaths.

9% Rottweiler (51 deaths)

Americans. Two dog breeds, pit bulls (380) and rottweilers (51), contributed to 76% (431) of these deaths.

37 different dog breeds were involved in the remaining fatal dog mauling’s.

See full report, 2020 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Statistics, at DogsBite.org

vpppa.org

Leader—Autumn 2021

29

30 Leader—Autumn 2021

Malls

Businesses Closed to Pedestrian Traffic

Businesses Open to Pedestrian Traffic

10

Institutes of Higher Education

18

41

Government Properties

Pre-K-12 Schools

96

SHOOTER &

EVENTS

By Brian Bennett, PhD, CSP

44

21

Figure 1: Location of Active Shooter Incidents, 2000-20191

vpppa.org

Do you work in a manufacturing facility, an office building, a warehouse, or a school? Do you travel by train or subway? In your off hours, do you enjoy going to a shopping center, a concert, a ball game, or a parade? Do you enjoy going out to eat at a restaurant or staying in a nice hotel? How about a vacation on a cruise ship or perhaps just a little quiet time in a church? hat do all these venues have in common? They are all soft targets and they all have been the location of acts of violence. Soft targets are those venues that are typically privately owned, usually lack robust security measures, or are difficult to protect and defend because they are not perceived as an attractive target to an adversary and are open to the public by their very design. Security is not a primary concern at a soft target. Therefore, an adversary would generally have largely unimpeded access to large concentrations of people in a relatively confined area at a soft target. Figure 1 is a compilation of active shooter events from 2000-2019 and illustrates the preference for adversaries to strike soft targets.

vpppa.org

13

Other Locations

Residences

Open Spaces

15

Houses of Worship

9

15

Health Care Facilities

Military Properties

50

1

Leader—Autumn 2021

31

Figure 2 is a summary breakdown of 333 active shooter incidents between 2000 and 20191 6 80

Incidents

333

(in 43 states and the District of Columbia)

10 29

1,703

119 Shooters Committed Suicide 6 Female 113 Men

(excluding the shooters)

Other Shooter Outcomes

Civilian Law Enforcement Security

150 Shooters apprehended by police

67 Shooters killed by police

1,062 killed, including 29 law enforcement officers and 10 security guards. 1,789 wounded, including 80 law enforcement officers and 6 security guards.

Current Tactics of Terror

Adversaries continue to develop new ways to cause terror and casualties in response to preventive measures taken by both the public and private sector. Although this article will focus on an active shooter event, in today’s world, violent hostile events can come in many forms:

• Active Shooting, such as the shooting at the Route Leader—Autumn 2021

Male: 332 Female: 13

1,023

2,851

32

Shooter Gender

345 (16 wore body armor)

Casualties

135 incidents met "mass killing" definition (3 or more killings in a single incident)

Number of Shooters

5 Shooters at large

4 Shooters killed by citizens

91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017. This attack resulted in 58 people being killed, and

butcher knife. 13 people were hospitalized with injuries.

• Improvised Explosive Devices, such as the bombing at the

851 injured. Figure 2 is a

Boston Marathon where

breakdown of active shooter

pressure cookers were used

events from 2000-2019.

to contain explosives, on

• Active Assailants (using edged weapons), such as the attack at the Columbus campus of the Ohio State University on

April 15, 2013, which killed 3 and injured several hundred.

• Mass Casualty Incident, such as the attack where an assailant

November 28, 2016, where an

used a pickup truck to run

assailant drove his car into a

down pedestrians in New

crowd of people, then started

York City on October 31, 2017,

to attack others with a

killing 8 and injuring eleven. vpppa.org

The principles discussed in this article are applicable to any

with independent agendas who

targeting a supervisor

assault innocent people.

or manager)

type of attack.

The Truth About Active Shooters

The Truth About the Victims Injuries

Regardless of the type of

there are some common

percentage of victims will have

attack, one can expect carnage,

characteristics about active

head wounds. 90 percent of

complete chaos, noise, and

shooters:

the deaths occurred prior to

What to Expect After an Attack

confusion with frightened people running and hiding, and perhaps unwilling or unable to respond to instructions due to

Based on previous attacks,

•

An active shooter can be

defined as an assailant who is actively engaging in killing or attempting to kill people

shooters are mobile, moving from point to point, and there is an immediate risk of injury or death. These situations are very dynamic and evolve

months and years in advance

• Attackers often begin

planning well in advance of an attack, sometimes years in advance

• Attackers often talk about their plans

• Attackers are often

encouraged to act by others

• Attackers have selected a

location that offers a target rich environment

• Attackers may have chosen

one or more targets initially but will likely fire randomly

Unfortunately, there is no

before stopping

typical profile of an active shooter. An active shooter has a strong desire to seriously injure or kill without concern for their own safety or threat of capture. The active shooter will accept targets of opportunity, that is a target that is visible, within range of the weapon, and was not previously identified as a primary target. Active shooters will not stop until their

Who May be Targeted?

The Truth About Active Shooter Events

• The average active shooter incident lasts 12 minutes

with 69% of these incidents ending within 5 minutes or less

• 60% of events are over

before law enforcement arrives

• 98% of active shooter events are committed by a single shooter

• 96% of shooters are male • In 78% of active shooting incidents there is a

connection between the shooter and at least one of the victims

random and are injured or killed simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, at times, a specific person or persons may be the target of assailant, such as:

• Being involved in a quarrel between people involved

in a relationship (domestic related)

• Being involved in a

enforcement officers as their

disagreement between people

mindset is not escape.

(grievance related)

Are active shooters

simple interventions.

the victims are attacked at

they have been neutralized. not flee upon arrival of law

Most victims die within 30

At many active shooter events

goals have been achieved or Most active shooters do

minutes of injuries that require

• Planning often begins weeks,

very quickly.

The Active Shooter’s Mentality

acts

• Attacks are rarely impulsive

area. The threat is generally not contained as most active

organization

or involved in a subversive

in a confined, populated

definitive care:

• 40% immediately • 26% within 5 minutes • 16% within 5-30 minutes • 8-10% with 30-60 minutes

or domestic

• Attackers may be lone wolves

injuries or shock.

Active Shooter Defined

Attackers may be foreign

In a shooting event, a high

• Being present at an entity

• 40% of active shooter events end in suicide

• 46% end through applied force

To Do List to Protect Your Facility and Personnel Preparedness Steps

There are some basic tasks that can be performed in advance of a hostile event to prepare facilities and their personnel.

1. Perform a Screening Assessment

terrorists? Not necessarily.

that embodies a perceived

Radicalized lone wolf

injustice (such as a

assailants are not the only ones

governmental agency)

assessment is to make a

To retaliate against a

determination if your facility

perceived injustice (such as

or personnel would make

carrying out acts of violence; there are deranged individuals vpppa.org

•

Most victims die within 30 minutes of injuries that require simple interventions.

The purpose of a screening

Leader—Autumn 2021

33

It is imperative that the plans be shared and coordinated with external emergency responders to ensure everyone is familiar with their roles and responsibilities as well as operational expectations.

4. Develop Pre-Incident/ Pre-emergency Plans

and what they must do. Training

Using the results of the

event awareness and how to

vulnerability and risk

implement individual protective

assessments, pre-incident/

measures such as “Run-Hide-

pre-emergency plans should

Fight” or “Stop the Bleed”.

guideline for facility personnel and external emergency responders to follow should a violent act occur. It is imperative that the plans be shared and coordinated with external emergency responders to ensure everyone is familiar with their roles and responsibilities as well as operational expectations.

Preventive Measures steps have been completed, preventive measures should be developed and implemented to address the identified vulnerabilities and risks.

Preventive measures include:

1. Hardening

Hardening involves physical an attractive target to an

enhancements to a facility to

adversary. Your facility or

make it more difficult and less

personnel may be attractive

attractive for an adversary

involved in a controversial business or service, or has a large amount of personnel in a relatively confined area.

2. Perform a Vulnerability Assessment The purpose of a vulnerability

assessment is to evaluate what

to perpetrate an attack.

Hardening can be as basic as adding fencing or adding locks to access points. Depending on the gaps identified in the vulnerability and risk assessments, hardening could be very expensive.

2. Procedures

Procedures are administrative

protective measures are in place

controls that can be

and what gaps exist that could

implemented to minimize

be exploited by an adversary.

vulnerabilities and risk.

3. Perform a Risk Assessment

The risk assessment evaluates each of the gaps identified in the vulnerability assessment.

Once the risks have been identified and prioritized,

of adversary

• Avoid pointing, screaming, or yelling

• Do not stop officers for help or directions

4. Exercises

Conclusion

opportunity to test the

become hardened targets,

protective measures that have

adversaries will shift their

been implemented to ensure

focus to soft targets such as

they are effective. Exercises also

manufacturing sites, retail

test employees and external

establishments, or warehousing

emergency responders to

facilities. However, even

validate plans, verify plans

hardened targets should not

are coordinated, applicable

be complacent and develop a

information has been shared,

false sense of security. Two

demonstrate personnel

shootings at Fort Hood, Texas

can perform their assigned

(a hardened military base) in

responsibilities completely and

2009 and 2014 demonstrated

efficiently, and an effective

that even hard targets can still

unified incident command

have some vulnerabilities.

Exercises provide an

prepare you are preparing

be a critique which identifies

to fail!

opportunities for improvement.

Once plans have been updated, the exercise process starts over.

Response

There are some basic actions their chance of survival in the event of a hostile event:

• Secure the immediate area • Block the door • Close windows, blinds • Silence phones, computers • Turn off the lights • Make yourself a small target • Hide out of sight and behind objects

• Place signs in exterior windows

If you encounter an hostile event, you should:

• Remain calm and follow instructions

3. Training

• Identify yourself • Put down items in your hands • Raise hands and spread

hardening and procedures are

• Keep hands visible at

evacuation plan.

The implementation of only effective if employees have

developed and implemented.

been trained on how they work

ENDNOTES

U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Active Shooter Incidents, 20 Year Review 2000-2019, May 2021.

2 Ibid.

1

individuals can take to increase

can be implemented include a a facility or a shelter in place/

Remember, by failing to

product of an exercise should

Emergency Responder during a

package search prior to entering

As facilities such as schools

structure was utilized. The

Examples of procedures that

preventive measures can be

34 Leader—Autumn 2021

• Inform officer of location

be developed to serve as a

Once the preparedness

because it is a soft target, is

should include basic hostile

fingers

all times

• Avoid quick movements

Brian Bennett is the President of EHS Excellence Consulting LLC, a full-service safety and health consulting company that focuses on helping worksites gain entry into the VPP. Previously he worked in the chemical manufacturing and research and development industry for 24 years at both the plant and corporate level.

He has been involved with the VPP since 1992 and has served on the VPP Region 2 Board of Directors since 1999, including 8 years as Chair. He is a Special Government Employee, having conducted over 40 on site evaluations and was the National SGE of the Year in 2006.

Dr. Bennett has also been a volunteer firefighter for 38 years.

During that time, he has served as a Fire Chief for 25 years as well as the Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator for 6 years. vpppa.org

WE DO RESCUE

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Training Equipment Services

As people return to the workplace, workplace violence is again in the news. In some cases, it is COVID-19-related, as retail sales personnel get assaulted for enforcing mask rules, teachers and principals are injured at school board meetings or in the school shootings that have sadly resumed, and even hospital personnel are attacked both inside and outside their facilities. But despite these headline-grabbing incidents, what remains hidden is the disparate impact of workplace violence on female workers.

By Adele L. Abrams, Esq., CMSP, President, Law Office of Adele L. Abrams, P.C.

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

PREVE 70% of non-fatal injury cases are female

70% of employers lack a formal workplace violence prevention program

36

Leader—Autumn 2021

vpppa.org

OSHA

defines “workplace violence” as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the worksite.” This broad definition includes physical assaults and homicide, of course, but it also encompasses threats, bullying, and verbal abuse that can result in psychological harm. In some instances, sexual or racial harassment that culminates in harm to the targeted worker can result in recordable OSHA injuries/illnesses, and legal exposure from both OSHA actions and EEOC claims.

The U.S. Department of Labor found that 70 percent of employers lack a formal workplace violence prevention program. Workers who do report bullying, harassment or any injury or illness are protected under Section 11(c) of the OSH Act (whistleblower protections), and employers can also be cited under 29 CFR 1904.36 and fined up to $136,532 if they retaliate against a worker who reports being injured or who expresses safety or health concerns internally or to OSHA. Workplace violence is the number one cause of death for women in the workplace, and it is consistently among the top four causes of occupational death across all worker populations. About 15 percent of workplace deaths come at the hands of co-workers, while the remainder is attribute to members of the public (hospital patients and families, customers in stores, or third parties who randomly target a business or location) and 25 percent arises out of domestic violence that spills over into the place of employment. Because so many women have lost their jobs after notifying employers that they have obtained a protective order against a partner that includes the workplace, some states are now specifically codifying legislation making this retaliation illegal.

Even non-fatal workplace violence incidents take a toll: out of approximately 17,000 such non-fatal injury cases, 70 percent of those injured were female, 67 percent were aged 25 to 54, 70 percent worked in healthcare and social assistance industries, and 21 percent required 31 or more days away from work to recover. Over 80 percent of women and 35 percent of men who have been sexually assaulted report significant short- or long-term impacts such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and when the assault occurs in the workplace, this has both OSHA and worker’s compensation implications. Over 80 percent of the victims of workplace sexual

ENTION Over 80% of women who have been sexually assaulted report significant short- or long-term impacts

31% of workplace deaths were in the retail sector

vpppa.org

Leader—Autumn 2021

37

violence are women and weapons are used to harm or threaten victims in 20 percent of such violence and stalking cases.

Yet these numbers may be just the tip of the iceberg: the U.S. Department of Defense estimates that only 14 percent of survivors report a workplace sexual assault. About half of HR professionals surveyed by SHRM in 2019 reported that their organization had at some point experienced workplace violence, and a third of surveyed workers said they did not know what to do if they witnessed or were involved in workplace violence.

While it may be tempting to regard workplace violence incidents as idiosyncratic events that cannot be anticipated or prevented (other than the common “active shooter” training that some employers and most schools and public facilities have implemented), OSHA disagrees.

In 2019, a unanimous Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission affirmed a serious citation against Integra Health Management Inc., issued under the “General Duty Clause” (GDC, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970) arising from the death of an employee in a workplace violence incident.

The GDC applies where there is a “recognized hazard” that could cause death or serious injury, there is worker exposure, and there is a feasible method of abatement.

OSHA CPL 02-01-052, Enforcement Procedures for Investigating or Inspecting Workplace Violence, states: “Workplace violence is recognized as an occupational hazard in some industries and environments which can be avoided or minimized if employers take appropriate precautions.” OSHA guidance identifies as “high risk” workplaces those involving situations where workers must be alone, work at night or in high crime areas, work with volatile or unstable people, handle money or valuables, provide health or

38 Leader—Autumn 2021

home services or care, or work where alcohol is served. OSHA has also issued interim guidance for specific sectors including late-night retail establishments, health care and social services.

The Integra case illustrates how having programs and training in place, but not following internal precautions, can impute knowledge of “feasible” controls to the employer and result in liability.

In that case, OSHRC found that workplace violence was a recognized hazard for Integra based on its own work rules, training, handbook, and existing policies. The materials showed the hazard of a service coordinator being physically assaulted during a meeting with a member who had a history of violent behavior was “clearly recognized” by Integra.

This does not mean, of course, that it is preferable to play ostrich and avoid memorializing safety protocols and conducting drills. The takeaway is consistency: having recognized a hazard in the specific workplace and controls that will be effective, these must be maintained, and oversight provided to ensure that precautions are not lessened due to complacency or as a result of staffing or security reductions that may leave employees vulnerable or working solo.

Although it successfully prosecuted its case against Integra, GDC cases are hard for the agency to win, and the statutory provision is intended as a “gap filler” and not as a substitute for a rule where a need is recognized. Currently, OSHA is focusing its workplace violence prevention regulatory efforts on the health care and social services sector, where most of the fatalities have occurred.

However, it is noteworthy that 31 percent of workplace deaths were in the retail sector—which would remain unprotected under the current rulemaking effort.

OSHA’s Spring 2021 Regulatory Agenda included action on its Prevention of Workplace Violence in Health Care and Social Assistance rulemaking,

with a small business review panel slated for December 2021.

This could slip as confirmation of an OSHA assistant secretary is still pending in the Senate.

Meanwhile, H.R. 1195—the Workplace Violence Prevention Act—passed the House of Representatives in April 2021 (254-166 with 38 Republicans supporting the legislation), and it is pending in the U.S. Senate.

While OSHA’s rulemaking process can move slowly, if workplace violence remains on the public’s radar, this legislation could force OSHA to expedite its rulemaking.

While waiting for definitive regulatory action, employees need to be proactive. Beyond the standard “active shooter” training, what should employers do to increase protections against workplace violence of all sorts? Highrisk businesses can consider controls including: Environmental Interventions: these include interior and exterior lighting, entry/ exit controls, cash controls, surveillance and signage; Behavioral Interventions: Training on appropriate responses to workplace violence risk, training on use of safety equipment, training on dealing with aggressive, drunk or “problem” persons; and, Administrative Interventions: Limiting hours of operation, heightening precautions when opening/ closing retail establishments, maintaining relations with local law enforcement, and implementing safety/security policies for all workers (including limiting access to guns within the workplace or on company policy, where state law allows).

witness) and provide a work-

If a report involves workplace harassment and threats of violence or concerns about violence from a domestic partner, exercise due diligence and obtain facts, rather than relying on rumors. The employee is the best source of information, but it is critical to speak privately (with one

Bars, the U.S. District Courts of

•

•

•

related basis for inquiries, and do not make assumptions about the worker’s personal life. Make sure your leave policies extend to violence victims, and provide a list of community-based services to assist the employee but avoid providing legal advice.

If there are immediate safety concerns for the employee and workplace, security, HR, legal counsel, and union (or even law enforcement) may be involved in determining the appropriate course of action to ensure the workplace is secure and the targeted employee is protected.

Workplace violence prevention is everyone’s concern, regardless of what action OSHA may take in the future, because anyone can be a potential target or can be impacted if a family member is harmed on the job.

Adele L. Abrams, Esq., CMSP, is an attorney, safety professional and trainer who is president

of the Law Office of Adele L. Abrams P.C. in Beltsville, MD, Charleston, WV, and Denver, CO, a multi-attorney firm focusing on safety, health

and employment law nationwide.

Adele is a certified mine safety

professional, and she also provides consultation, safety audits and training services to MSHA and OSHA regulated companies.

Adele is the host of “Ask the

SafetyLawyer,” a podcast on the Safety Justice League channel.

She is a regular columnist

for numerous magazines on

legal, employment, mine and

occupational safety/health issues, and is co-author of several books related to mining, construction, employment law, and

occupational safety and health.

She is a member of the

Maryland, DC and Pennsylvania Maryland, DC and Tennessee, the

U.S. Court of Appeals, DC, 3rd and

4th Circuits, and the United States Supreme Court. She is a graduate of the George Washington

University’s National Law Center,

and earned her B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park.

vpppa.org

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Workplace Violence The Active Shooter Drill Training Is Not Prevention, It’s Mitigation

By Frank King

40 Leader—Autumn 2021

vpppa.org

There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river.

We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” —Desmond Tutu

W

e need to start up stream to stem the tide of workplace violence.

I’m not saying that training isn’t a good idea, I’m just saying that it doesn’t prevent the problem of workplace violence, it just keeps the body count down.

First, some context.

According to an article published by NPR earlier this year, “workplace

mass shootings are rare, but the killing of nine people by a fellow employee at a Northern California rail yard on Wednesday marks the third such rampage in under two months.”1 That could foreshadow a rise in this type of violence after the nationwide shutdown of businesses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, says Jaclyn Schildkraut, associate professor of criminal justice at the State University of New York at Oswego.

However, Schildkraut stresses that while such shootings “are increasing incrementally in frequency, they're still extremely statistically rare.”2 More recently in San Jose, authorities stated a public transit employee opened fire on co-workers at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, fatally shooting at least nine people and then taking his own life.

The suspect was identified as a 57-year-old current employee. The motive for the attack remains unclear.

The attack comes on the heels of a similar shooting in Indianapolis on April 15, in which a former FedEx worker killed eight people before killing himself.2 That was reported to be the deadliest workplace massacre since a brewery employee gunned down five people at the Molson Coors campus in Milwaukee in February 2020, shortly before the pandemic shutdown.3 About a week before the Indiana shooting, a gunman killed one person and wounded five others in an ambush at a cabinet manufacturing facility in Bryan, Texas, where he worked. He survived and was arrested.

vpppa.org

Leader—Autumn 2021

41

More people are returning to work

Shooters may have had time to plan

Associated Press, USA Today

more workplace attacks is that

and Northeastern University

potential perpetrators, who've

found that between 2006 and

likely been in isolation over

February 2020, there had been

the past year, have had time to

13 mass workplace shootings

plan, Schildkraut notes. “One

carried out by a current or

of the things that we know

former employee—that’s

about shooters, especially

roughly one per year.4

those who target schools or

A database compiled by The

“The reason they seem more

Another reason we may see

other specific public spaces, is

frequent right now is because

that they don't usually wake up

we haven’t had them really

and snap.”

for the last year because of

The notion that shooters

COVID,” Schildkraut says. Such

don’t wake up and snap leads

restrictions have also served to

me to my next point. Which

limit opportunities for potential

is that the solution is not

shooters “because it reduces

downstream using active

the available targets for a

shooter drill skills, but up

person,” she says.

stream, with suicide prevention

“Now that much of the

and conflict resolution training,

country is returning to work,

and other programs suggested

we’re seeing an uptick in these

and supported by OSHA.

events in the sense that they’re

So how does one start

now out there because people

upstream? You make suicide

are back out there,” she says.

prevention a health and safety

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Leader—Autumn 2021

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REFERENCES

Romo, V. (2021, May 27). NPR. Retrieved from www.npr.org/ 2021/05/27/1000745927/ why-were-seeing-a-spike-inworkplace-shootings 2 Diaz, J., Neuman, S., & Jones, D. (2021, April 16). Police ID Suspect And Victims In Shooting Deaths At FedEx Facility In Indianapolis.

Retrieved from NPR: www.npr. org/2021/04/16/987929888/9killed-others-injured-inshooting-at-fedex-warehousein-indianapolis 3 Booker, B. (2020, February 26). 6 Dead In Shooting At Molson Coors In Milwaukee After Employee Opens Fire.

Retrieved from NPR: www.npr. org/2020/02/26/809762360/ multiple-fatalities-in-shootingat-molson-coors-brewingheadquarters-in-milwauke 4 Miller, R. W. (2020, February ).

Workplace mass shootings are rare. Milwaukee rampage was the first of 2020. Retrieved from USA Today: www.usatoday.com/ story/news/nation/2020/02/27/ milwaukee-shooting-molsoncoors-workplace-massshootings-rare/4890864002/ 5 Workplace Suicide Prevention.

(2021). Retrieved from Workplace Suicide Prevention: https:// workplacesuicideprevention.com/ 1

Simply starting the conversation on suicide has the power to save lives, since 8 out of 10 people who are considering suicide are ambivalent, and 9 out of 10 will give hints in the 7 days leading to an attempt, in an effort to get someone to take notice, and… wait for it… start that conversation. priority at work. Let’s put out a

And simply starting the

• Threat Assessment Team—

This interdisciplinary team

call to action to all workplaces

conversation on suicide

and professional associations—

has the power to save lives,

will work with management

now is the time to implement

since 8 out of 10 people who

to assess the potential for

the National Guidelines for

are considering suicide are

workplace violence and, as

Workplace Suicide Prevention.5

ambivalent, and 9 out of 10

appropriate, develop and

So, what are the upstream

will give hints in the 7 days

solutions?

You bring in someone,

leading to an attempt, in an effort to get someone to take

like me, who does suicide

notice, and… wait for it… start

prevention training, who can

that conversation.

teach everyone in the company, from the C-Suite on down, how to spot the signs and symptoms

That’s my job, and now, yours as well.

Then follow it with three

of depression and suicide, what

things that OSHA suggests

to say, what not to say, what to

and supports.

do, what not to do, and how to find resources.

Even though 47,000 people

• OSHA offers Alternative

Dispute Resolution (ADR)— This program is most

execute a plan to address it.

• Agency Work and Family Life

Programs (such as flexiplace, childcare, maxiflex, etc.)— An agency should identify and modify, if possible, self-imposed policies and procedures which cause negative effects on the workplace climate I’m not saying that active

shooter drill training shouldn’t be taught, or isn’t useful, I’m

die by suicide every year,

effective in resolving

just saying, to paraphrase

that’s 146 per day, one every

disputes when a conflict has

Desmond Tutu, if you’re

nine minutes, hardly anyone

been identified early and one

counting shooting victims

talks about. Unless you bring

of the following techniques

downstream, you need to go

it up.

is used: ombudspersons,

upstream and solve the problem

facilitation, mediation,

that is causing them to be

just brought you in to start the

interest-based problem

shooting victims, in the first

conversation on suicide.”

solving, and peer review.

place. That’s prevention.

My clients often tell me, “We

vpppa.org

Frank King, Suicide Prevention speaker and Trainer was a writer for The Tonight Show for 20 years.

He’s fought a lifetime battle with Major Depressive Disorder and Chronic Suicidality, turning that long dark journey of the soul into 6 TEDx Talks and sharing his lifesaving insights on Mental Health Awareness with associations, corporations, and colleges.

Depression and suicide run in his family. He’s thought about killing himself more times than he can count.

A Motivational Public Speaker who uses his life lessons to start the conversation giving people permission to give voice to their feelings and experiences surrounding depression and suicide.

And doing it by coming out, as it were, and standing in his truth, and doing it with humor.

He believes that where there is humor there is hope, where there is laughter there is life, nobody dies laughing. The right person, at the right time, with the right information, can save a life.

Leader—Autumn 2021

43

Follow us on social media!

Facebook @VPPPA

Membership Corner

Twitter: @VPPPA

Instagram: @VPPPA_Inc LinkedIn: VPPPA, Inc.

Congratulations to our autumn Members of the Month!

National SGE of the Year Award Congratulations to the 2021 Winner, William (Bill) Turner!

VPP & Health-Safety-Environmental, NuStar Energy, Wichita, Kansas During the 2020 calendar year and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Bill:

• participated as an SGE Team Member on three (3) on-site evaluations;

• mentored two sites that successfully attained VPP reapproval; and • successfully led two of his own sites through VPP reapproval

Angie Mackley

September:

Medicine Lancaster

General Health, Director

evaluations.

Denise Parke

Medicine Lancaster

General Health, Safety

of Safety and Emergency

and Environmental Health

Region III

Region III

Management Penn

October:

Kyle Kirkpatrick

Shermco Industries,

Executive Director of Human Performance & Global Compliance Region VI

Specialist

Words from OSHA: “It is undeniable that Bill epitomizes and exhibits exceptional support, effort and action in VPP. Because of Bill’s hard work and contributions to both the VPP and SGE Programs, he has made SGE history by being recognized as the SGE of the Year for a second time!”

November:

Richard Finnegan

Veolia North America,

Regional Environmental

Health and Safety Manager Region II

Want to submit someone to be considered as a VPPPA Member of the Month? Email membership@ vpppa.org. Visit vpppa.org to read more about the current Member of the Month.

OSHA’s Acting Assistant Secretary, James Frederick, and National SGE of the Year Award recipient, William (Bill) Turner, NuStar Energy, Wichita, Kansas.

44 Leader—Autumn 2021

vpppa.org

An important message from VPPPA’s Membership & Outreach Manager, Son Nguyen

Welcome!

We are excited to announce that the VPPPA National Office staff has

I’m excited to share we have launched

grown by two! Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our

our new Beta version of the VPPPA

new employees.

Member Portal. As we look forward to a new year, our goals remain consistent: to continuously build and enhance our framework to best serve our members.

One of the best features of this upgrade is you'll see a new simplified profile view that lays out your contact and membership information. Primary Contacts who have permission to edit on behalf of your related organization will see a "Switch Profile" button at the top of the page, allowing you to seamlessly jump between the profiles to which

Bryan Knight

UX Web Services Programmer

you have access. Some other features include:

• Pay open invoices: display the balance due for any profiles to which the member has access, with a button to go to the payment screen for more details and to pay.

Payment History: views a list of all previous invoices for the member, with the ability to reprint the invoice with payment information.

• Relationships: this displays the related organization(s)

Lisa Silber

Event Sales & Advertising Coordinator

of an individual profile, or if the member is viewing the organization, the list of employees and subsidiaries for that organization.

• My Events: displays past and future events for which the member is registered.

• Upload Media: allows the member to upload a logo or listing photo for the online directory, and edit any existing images.

•

Online Member Directory: A dynamic, searchable

Are you ready for a

Big winter?

Coming online directory that allows members to find other Soon

members.

To login, visit www.vpppa.org and click on Member Login on the Home Page. You will need to use your username (email address) and password to gain access to our private Members Only Area. If you ever forget your password, click the ‘Forgot your password?’ link to receive an email with a password reset link.

REMEMBER: If you have any questions regarding your VPPPA membership, please reach out to me by phone at 703-761-

The farmer’s almanac is calling for a

’Season of shivers’ “This coming winter could well be one of the longest and coldest that we’ve seen in years” says Janice Stillman, editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. The Almanac goes on to say “this winter will be punctuated by positively bone-chilling, below-average temperatures across most of the United States.”

U

GH

FOR T H

E DY

INEERED

O

R

K

E

WO

NG

AT

betterment of workplace culture.

We’re your trusted source for all your high viz and winter workwear needs!

O

B

you for your unwavering efforts in striving for the continued

T

6515 or by email at snguyen@vpppa.org. As always, we thank

Visit our website for more on what we have to keep you warm and protected from the harshness of winter: https://www.occunomix.com/warming

vpppa.org

Leader—Autumn 2021

45

46 Leader—Autumn 2021

vpppa.org

vpppa.org

Leader—Autumn 2021

47

2021 AWARD

WINNERS

VPP OUTREACH AWARD

Don Slaugh—Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC

SAFETY AND HEALTH OUTREACH AWARD Alex Lee & Jennifer Scott—Savannah River Nuclear Solutions • Volpentest HAMMER Federal Training Center

VPP INNOVATION AWARD (Clockwise from top lett) 76 Commodities Maintenance Group • Bayer U.S. Crop Science—West Fargo, ND • Central Plateau Cleanup Company (not shown) • Chevron Phillips Chemical—Cedar Bayou Plant • General Electric Healthcare—Electric Avenue • Guardair Corporation • Oak Ridge Reservation Environmental Cleanup Project—UCOR, an Amentum-led partnership with Jacobs • Hanford Tank Operations Contract—Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC

48 Leader—Autumn 2021

vpppa.org

A Message From VPPPA’s Safety+ Conference Coordinator Hello VPPPA Members,

F

irst, I would just like to thank all of those who attended the Safety+ National Symposium! Your attendance, be it virtual or in person, and participation was greatly appreciated. We would also love to thank our Keynote Speakers- Mr. James Frederick,

Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Mr. James Hart, President of the Metal Trades Department AFL-CIO, & Mr. Brad Baptiste, Regional VPP Manager of Region VIII, for starting our Symposium on a fantastic note! We have all had a very interesting past 19 months and it was so amazing to have a touch of normalcy back. Being in Nashville with all the members, after two years apart, was something we all needed. It was great to see the attendees come back & further their commitment to the safety & health community. Despite COVID-19, the 2021 Safety+ National Symposium was a success!

This year, the VPPPA chose to not let the current pandemic prohibit our chances for learning and networking safely. We introduced a virtual platform that allowed our attendees to engage in workshops from the safety of their home or office. We also added a hybrid registration that allows in-person attendees to have access to all workshops that were presented at Safety+. This hybrid registration eliminated having to choose which workshop you would prefer over another in the same time slot. The VPPPA Regional Networking Reception was re-introduced to allow the Regional Boards to reconnect with their attendees and to garner excitement for their 2022 Regional Conferences. VPPPA also hosted it’s first walking challenge, a health focused competition where attendees, both in-person and virtual, were encouraged to get active while boosting their engagement with other attendees, sponsors and the conference itself. We are very excited to bring the walking challenge with us to the 2022 Safety+ Symposium.

On our Safety+ Post-Symposium Survey, we received comments that helped illustrate how important these conferences are to the Occupational Health & Safety Community.

• “This Safety+ Symposium really assisted my SGE Team to better understand the importance of Safety and VPP.”

• “It was a wonderful experience. Great sessions, and lots of enthusiasm over ways to keep our site VPP SAFE!”

• “Nicely done it was a very well organized and professional event. Enjoyed seeing all friends, colleagues and meeting new ones.”

• “The information I did receive was outstanding, I was very excited and appreciative that I was chosen by my organization to attend. The whole Safety event was well out together and very accommodating.”

My personal favorite part of this year’s symposium was witnessing the fun competition that occurred within the Walking Challenge and the happiness that was shown of everyone seeing each other again. I know that I can speak for the entire VPPPA Staff when I say that our members are the reason why we love what we do. Seeing the new connections, best practice sharing and thirst for more knowledge makes all the hard work of planning worth it.

Thank you again and we hope to see you all in Washington DC on August 23rd-25th!

Stay Safe,

—Natasha Cole | VPPPA’s Conference Coordinator vpppa.org

Leader—Autumn 2021

49

www.mckeefoods.com

www.nucor.com

www.nustarenergy.com

www.safestart.com

www.valero.com

www.vallen.com

www.aimforsafety.com

BRONZE

www.bcsp.org

www.cintas.com

www.honeywell.com

www.amazon.com

www.draeger.com

www.magid.com

www.coca-cola.com

www.hunterdouglas.com

www.marykay.com

www.mcwane.com

www.prairiestateenergycampus.com

www.sbec.com

SILVER

GOLD

PLATINUM

DIAMOND

PREMIER

TO EACH OF OUR 2021 SAFETY+ SPONSORS WHO HELPED MAKE OUR HYBRID EVENT POSSIBLE AND THE RETURN TO AN IN-PERSON SYMPOSIUM SAFE

www.amentum.com

www.brandenburg.com

50 Leader—Autumn 2021

www.majesticglove.com

www.onwardenergy.com

www.mortonsalt.com

www.rocorescue.com

www.sturgeonelectric.com

vpppa.org

TO OUR 2021 SAFETY+ SYMPOSIUM EXHIBITORS!

3M

www.mmm.com

Cotton Logistics

www.cottonlogistics.com

Adrian's Safety Solutions

www.adrianssafetysolutions.com

DevonWay

www.devonway.com

Air Systems International, Inc.

www.airsystems.com

Draeger, Inc.

www.draeger.com

Alliance Safety Council

www.alliancesafetycouncil.org

DripDrop ORS

www.dripdropors.com

Allied Powers LLC

www.hidow.com

DropSafe

www.dropsafe.com

Always In Mind, Inc.

www.aimforsafety.com

Epp Glove & Safety

www.eppglove.com

Ampco Safety Tools

www.ampcosafetytools.com

ERB Industries

www.e-erb.com

AP Safety Training

www.APSafetyTraining.com

Ergo Advantage

www.ergoadvantageinc.com

armorguys

www.armorguys.com

Ericson Manufacturing

www.ericson.com

Armourx, Inc.

www.armourxsafety.com

ART Corporate Solutions, Inc.

www.activerelease.com

Essilor Prescription Safety Eyewear

www.essilorpse.com

A-Safe Inc

www.asafe.com/en-us

Eureka Safety, Inc.

www.berger.se

ATI Worksite Solutions

www.atiworksitesolutions.com

FallTech

www.falltech.com

Avetta

www.avetta.com

FireHUD, Inc.

www.firehud.co

Barefoot Industrial Ergonomic Flooring by Beagle 1, Inc.

www.barefoot-flooring.com

First Aid Only

www.acmeunited.com

Gas Clip Technologies

www.gascliptech.com

Batavia Services, Inc.

www.laddermatters.com

GlenGuard

www.glenguard.com

BeAed LP

www.beaed.com

Benchmark Digital

www.benchmarkdigital.com

Global Glove and Safety Manufacturing, Inc.

www.GlobalGlove.com

Blackline Safety Corp.

www.blacklinesafety.com

Glove Guard, LP

www.GloveGuard.com

Blast Bag Company, Inc.

www.theblastbag.com

Gravic—Remark Software

www.remarksoftware.com

Board of Certified Safety Professionals

www.bcsp.com

Hammerhead Industries, Inc.

www.gearkeeper.com

Hard Hat VR

www.hardhatvr.com

Bollé Safety

www.bollesafety-usa.com

HCG Associates

www.hcgassoc.com

Boplan USA

www.boplan.com

Brand Safway

www.brandsafway.com

Health and Safety Council (HASC)

www.hasc.com

Brandenburg Industrial Services Company

www.brandenburg.com

Hellman & Associates, Inc.

www.ehscompliance.com

Bulli Ray Enterprises— Occupational Dog Bite Prevention

Hunter Buildings & Manufacturing

www.hunterbuildings.com

www.bulliray.com

HySafe

www.HySafe.com

Bulwark Protective Apparal

www.bulwark.com

CABLESAFE

www.cablesafe.com

CBS ArcSafe, Inc.

www.cbsarcsafe.com

Cementex Products, Inc.

www.cementexusa.com

Cintas

www.cintas.com

CIS Onsite

www.cisonsite.com

Cisco-Eagle

www.cisco-eagle.com

Columbia Southern University

www.columbiasouthern.edu

Comprehensive Industrial Services

www.cisonsite.com

Concept Seating

www.conceptseating.com

vpppa.org

Impacto Protective Products, Inc. www.impacto.ca Indiana Safety + Supply

www.indianasafety.com

Industrial Psychologists, Inc.

www.meshingmindandmachine.com

Industrial Scientific

www.indsci.com

Industrial Sunscreen

www.rrlotion.com

inFRONT

www.infrontusa.com

inoLECT

www.inolect.com

Instamation Systems, Inc.

www.instamation.com

Intrepid Industries Inc.

www.intrepidindustries.com

ION Science

www.ionscienceusa.com

Ironwear

www.ironwear.com

Leader—Autumn 2021

51

iStrike by AnythingWeather

ww.anythingweather.com/ w products/istrike

ITAC

www.itac.us.com

JCL Safety Services

www.jclsafety.com

JLG Industries, Inc.

www.jlg.com/en

Johnston & Associates

www.johnstonandassoc.com

Kask America, Inc.

www.kask.com

Kee Safety

RKI Instruments, Inc.

www.rkiinstruments.com

RNR Rescue

www.RNRrescue.com

Roco Rescue

www.rocorescue.com

SafeRack, LLC

www.saferack.com

SafeStart

www.safestart.com

Safety 101: Proactive Safety Software

www.safety101.com

www.keesafety.com

Klever Innovations and Pacific Handy Cutter By Safety Products Holdings

Safety Management Systems, Inc.

www.sms360.com

www.kleverinnovations.net

Safety Rail Company LLC

www.safetyrailcompany.com

Koolin' Klothz, Etc. Inc.

www.koolin.net

SafeVision by HOYA

www.safevision.com

Lehigh CustomFit

www.customfit.me/index

Sam Carbis Solutions Group, LLC

www.carbissolutions.com

Magid Glove & Safety Manufacturing Company, LLC

www.magidglove.com

Satellite Shelters, Inc.

www.satelliteco.com

Majestic Glove

www.majesticglove.com

Scientific Sales, Inc.

www.scisale.com

MakuSafe

www.makusafe.com

Sentinel Occupational Safety

www.sentinelofsafety.com

Martor USA

www.martorusa.com

SG World USA LLC

www.sgworldusa.com

Meltric Corporation

www.meltric.com

Sheakley Risk and Safety Solutions

www.sheakley.com

Mobile Communications America

www.callmc.com

Shermco Industries

www.shermco.com

Mount Vernon Mills

www.mvmills.com

SlipNOT

www.slipnot.com

Munro's Safety Apparel

www.munrossafety.com

Sqwincher

www.sqwincher.com

NASCO Industries, Inc.

www.nascoinc.com

Steel Grip, Inc.

www.steelgripinc.com

NASP

www.naspweb.com

Superior Glove Works

www.superiorglove.com

National Workwear

www.nationalworkwear.com

Tec Laboratories Inc.

www.teclabs.com

Newson Gale, Inc.

www.hoerbiger.com

Thompson

www.thompsonknows.com

Nightstick

www.nightstick.com

TickKey International, Inc.

www.tickkey.com

OCCfit Solutions

www.occfitsolutions.com

Transfer Thought LLC

www.transferthought.com

OEL Worldwide Industries

www.oelsales.com

UltraTech International , Inc.

www.ultratechbrands.com

Origami Risk

www.origamirisk.com

Vallen

www.vallen.com

OSFA Solutions

www.osfasolutions.com

Valsoft Corporation, dba S&W Technologies

www.swtechnologies.com

Panduit Corp.

www.panduit.com

VPPStore.com

www.vppstore.com

Paperless Environments

www.paperlessenvironments.com

Petzl

www.petzl.com

Walman Optical Safety Eyewear

www.walmanoptical safetyeyewear.com

Portwest LLC

www.portwest.com

Wayne Workwear

www.vppstore.com

Wells Lamont Industrial

www.wellslamontindustrial.com

Westex: A Milliken Brand

www.westex.com

Whelen Engineering Company Inc.

www.whelen.com

Working Concepts, Inc.

www.softknees.com

ZOLL Medical Corporation

www.zoll.com

Precision Communications Inc. www.precisioncomm.com Premier Safety

www.premiersafety.com

ProtectEar USA LLC

www.protectear.com/us

PSRG Inc.

www.psrg.com

RAD Torque Systems Inc.

www.radtorque.com

Railhead Corporation

www.railheadcorp.com

RedGuard

www.redguard.com

52

Leader—Autumn 2021

vpppa.org

Infographic Corner

OSHA estimates that more than

2 million

American workers are victims of workplace violence each year.

According to NIOSH, homicide is the leading cause of injury death for women in the workplace— accounting for

40% of all workplace death

It is estimated that roughly

25% of workplace violence incidents go unreported.

Approximately a quarter of American workers say their workplace has had at least

among female workers.

one incident of workplace violence.

In 2017, there were

Although research on

in U.S. workplaces—an average of nearly one person killed every day.

is limited, one study found dogs to be the second most commonly implicated species of animals (after insects) in all animal-related non-fatal injuries within the American workforce.

351 gun homicides

Healthcare workers accounted for

73 percent

of all nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses due to violence in 2018— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. vpppa.org

occupational dog bites

Leader—Autumn 2021

53

www.vpppa.org

VPPPA National Board of Directors Chairperson Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LP

Vice Chairperson Dan Lazorcak, CSP, Honeywell International Treasurer Sean D. Horne, Valero Energy Secretary Kristyn Grow, CSP, CHMM, SGE Cintas Corporation Director from a Site With a Collective Bargaining Unit Jack Griffith, Central Plateau Cleanup Company Director from a Site Without a Collective Bargaining Agent Johnathan “JD” Dyer, Structuretone/LF Driscoll Director from a DOE-VPP Site Michelle Keever, UCOR, an Amentum-Led Partnership with Jacobs

Ad Index

Advertiser Website

Page

Always in Mind (A.I.M)

www.aimforsafety.com 55

Blackline Safety

www.blacklinesafety.com 4

Board of Certified Safety Professionals

www.bcsp.org 42

Bollé Safety

www.bollesafety-usa.com 56

Cintas

www.cintas.com 25

Glove Guard

www.gloveguard.com 15

Honeywell International www.honeywell.com 9

Director from a VPP Contractor/ Construction Site Brad Gibson, S&B Engineers & Constructors

Nucor

www.nucor.com 7

Director-at-Large Shelly Ettel, Amentum

NuStar Energy

www.nustarenergy.com 2

Occunoimx

www.occunomix.com 45

Roco Rescue

www.rocorescue.com 35

SafeStart

www.safestart.com 3

Valero

www.valero.com 23

Vallen Distribution

www.vallen.com 11

Working Concepts

www.softknees.com 21

Director-at-Large Bill Linneweh, CSP, Hendrickson International Director-at-Large Saprena Lyons, Fluor Idaho Director-at-Large Christina Ross, Morton Salt Director-at-Large Daniel Charles, Brandenburg Industrial Service Company Director-at-Large Andy Foster, Hanford Mission Integrated Solutions Editor Kerri Usher, VPPPA, Inc. Associate Editor Ariana Hanaity, VPPPA, Inc. EDITORIAL MISSION

The Leader (ISSN 1081-261X) is published quarterly for VPPPA members. The Leader delivers articles from members for members, safety and health best practices, developments in the field of occupational safety and health, association activities, educational and networking opportunities and the latest VPP approvals.

Ideas and opinions expressed within the Leader represent the independent views of the authors.

Postmaster >> Please send address changes to: VPPPA, Inc. • 7600 Leesburg Pike, East Building, Suite 100 • Falls Church, VA 22043-2004 VPPPA, Inc., the premier global safety and health organization, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes advances in worker safety and health excellence through best practices and cooperative efforts among workers, employers, the government and communities.

54 Leader—Autumn 2021

VPPPA contacts Sara A. Taylor, CMP Director of Operations staylor@vpppa.org Natasha Cole Conference Coordinator ncole@vpppa.org Heidi Hill Partnership Manager hhill@vpppa.org

o reach the VPPPA National Office, call (703) 761-1146 or visit T www.vpppa.org. To reach a particular staff member, please refer to the contact information below.

Lisa Silber Sales & Advertising Coordinator lsilber@vpppa.org Kerri Usher Communications & Outreach Manager kusher@vpppa.org Ariana Hanaity Communications Coordinator ahanaity@vpppa.org

Sierra Johnson Senior Education Coordinator sjohnson@vpppa.org Son Nguyen Membership & Outreach Manager snguyen@vpppa.org Bryan Knight UX Web Services Programmer bknight@vpppa.org

vpppa.org

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