NCJ Number
156813
Date Published
1995
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This report describes injuries resulting from violence and assault in workplaces in Washington State during 1992; data are based on information collected for the 1992 Department of Labor Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and on worker compensation claims for violence and assault.
Abstract
In 1992, 13 occupational fatalities associated with violence and assault were recorded in Washington. Most occurred in workplaces known to be at high risk, such as grocery stores, liquor stores, restaurants, fast food establishments, lounges, and transit vehicles. Also in 1992, 784 incidents resulting in a day or more of lost time from work occurred in Washington workplaces. Worker compensation data included 2,395 claims for injuries related to violence and assault; 607 claims (25 percent) resulted in 4 or more days of lost time from work. Washington industries identified as being at high risk for violence and assault injuries were similar for Department of Labor and worker compensation data sources. When injuries were examined by the nature of the violent act or assault, it was found that most injuries occurred predictably in industries and occupations inherently at high risk of work-related violence, at high risk of indirect violence when robbery was the primary motive, and where employees were assaulted by physically or mentally impaired individuals. Regardless of intent, all high-risk industries experienced considerable assault-related morbidity. The author concludes that violence and assault prevention strategies should be developed to specifically address high-risk situational factors. 11 references and 12 tables