776 Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare

Records Analysis and Tracking

The primary document analyzed during records analysis and tracking is the job hazard analysis (JHA). The JHA focuses on job tasks to identify hazards. Through review of procedures and operations connected to specific tasks or positions to identify if they contribute to hazards related to workplace violence and/or can be modified to reduce the likelihood of violence occurring, the JHA examines the relationship between the employee, the task, tools, and the work environment. Worker participation is an essential component of the analysis. As noted in OSHA's publication on job hazard analyses, priority should be given to specific types of job. For example, priority should be given to:

• Jobs with high assault rates due to workplace violence;
• Jobs that are new to an operation or have undergone procedural changes that may increase the potential for workplace violence; and
• Jobs that require written instructions, such as procedures for administering medicine, and steps required for transferring patients.

After an incident or near miss, the analysis should focus on:

• Analyzing those positions that were affected;
• Identifying if existing procedures and operations were followed and if not, why not (in some instances, not following procedures could result in more effective protections);
• Identifying if staff were adequately qualified and/or trained for the tasks required; and
• Developing, if necessary, new procedures and operations to improve staff safety and security.

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