Construction employers have a new resource for addressing workplace harassment, intimidation and physical violence as part of broader jobsite safety programs. CPWR has released a guide designed to help employers and workforce leaders establish prevention measures and strengthen workplace practices.
The guide, titled Preventing Workplace Harassment & Physical Violence in Construction, provides a framework for evaluating workplace risks and developing measures to prevent incidents.
The resource was developed through a review of existing guidance and research, along with input from construction industry experts. It addresses how employers can assess potential risks, establish prevention procedures and develop workplace practices that promote respect and safety.
Workplace violence can include physical attacks as well as threats, intimidation and other threatening conduct. OSHA identifies workplace violence as a significant occupational safety concern and recommends that employers assess hazards and establish prevention programs appropriate to their worksites.
The CPWR resource includes guidance for developing a workplace violence prevention program and a sample plan that construction organizations can use as a starting point.
For construction owners and general contractors, harassment prevention can also have implications across multi-employer jobsites. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recommends worksite-wide coordination among owners, general contractors, subcontractors, unions and other organizations operating on construction projects when addressing harassment.
Harassment and workplace violence are increasingly being treated as components of overall construction safety and workforce management. The new CPWR guide gives contractors and workforce leaders another resource for identifying risks, establishing procedures and addressing conduct that can affect jobsite safety and worker retention.
Source: SMACNA.
