Safety Tips for Hospital Workers
October 1, 2002 less than 1 minute read
Safety Tips for Hospital Workers
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Washington, DC, offers these safety tips for hospitals workers to prevent workplace violence:
Watch for signals that may be associated with impending violence
- Verbally expressed anger and frustration
- Body language such as threatening gestures
- Signs of drug or alcohol use
- Presence of a weapon
Maintain behavior that helps diffuse anger
- Present a calm, caring attitude.
- Don’t match the threats.
- Don’t give orders.
- Acknowledge the person’s feelings (for example, "I know you are frustrated").
- Avoid any behavior that may be interpreted as aggressive (for example, moving rapidly, getting too close, touching, or speaking loudly).
Be alert
- Evaluate each situation for potential violence when you enter a room or begin to relate to a patient or visitor.
- Be vigilant throughout the encounter.
- Don’t isolate yourself with a potentially violent person.
- Always keep an open path for exiting; don’t let the potentially violent person stand between you and the door.
Take these steps if you can’t defuse the situation quickly
- Remove yourself from the situation.
- Call security for help.
- Report any violent incidents to management.
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