An Evaluation of Workplace Conditions as Causative Factors to Incidents of Type III Workplace Violence in the Construction and Environmental Remediation Industries Open Access

Abstract

Abstract
An Evaluation of Workplace Conditions as Causative Factors to
Incidents of Type III Workplace Violence in the Construction and Environmental
Remediation Industries
BY
By Michael Goldman CIH, CSP, CHMM, CPEA
Industry literature indicates that the causes of violence in the workplace are rarely
investigated beyond the consideration of the interpersonal relationships of the workers.
Although the effects of heat, excessive noise, repetitive tasks, and chemical exposure on
worker behavior are well-documented, these environmental factors are not frequently
examined in incidents of workplace violence. In fact, even though incidents of worker-
on-worker violence in the workplace may be occurring in the construction and
environmental remediation industries throughout the United States at rates higher than
reported or investigated its root causes and contributing factors may not be investigated.
The primary purpose of this study was to establish a correlation between exposure
to workplace hazards and incidents of workplace violence. The secondary purpose of this
study was to determine the consideration given by investigators of workplace violence in
the construction and environmental remediation industries, usually Health and Safety
Professionals, to these physical and chemical stressors in their investigations. Key
informant interviews with Health and Safety Professionals in these firms were conducted
IV

to gather data about how these professionals conceptualize, document, and recommend
corrections for the root causes and contributing factors of worker-on-worker violence.
Establishing a relationship between exposure to workplace hazards and incidents of
workplace violence is crucial to understanding the causes of workplace violence.
Understanding the approach used by Health and Safety Professionals is important in the
development of interventions that improve worker safety and decrease the incidence of
workplace violence.

V

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 2: Literature Review ........................................................................................................... 4
Environmental Factors as Modifiers of Behavior ............................................................................ 4
Excessive Noise ..................................................................................................... 6
Repetitive Motions ................................................................................................. 6
Excessive Heat ....................................................................................................... 7
Attributes of Workers at Risk for Violence ..................................................................................... 7
Correlation of Violent Incidents and Environmental Factors .......................................................... 9
Chapter 3: Methodology ................................................................................................................ 11
Selection Process ........................................................................................................................... 11
Approach ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Human Subjects Protection ............................................................................................................ 13
Limitations ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Chapter 4: Results .......................................................................................................................... 17
Rates of Incidents ........................................................................................................................... 17
Reported Causes for No Incidents ................................................................................................. 18
Processes for Investigation ............................................................................................................ 19
Influence of Schedule on Incidents on Workplace Violence ......................................................... 19
Environmental Factors as Root Causes .......................................................................................... 20
Reporting and Corrective Actions ................................................................................................. 22
Other Reported Potential Causes ................................................................................................... 22
Effectiveness of Corrective Actions .............................................................................................. 23
Chapter 5: Discussion and Implications......................................................................................... 25
Rates of Occurrence ....................................................................................................................... 25
Severity of Incidents ...................................................................................................................... 25
VI I

Root Causes ................................................................................................................................... 26
Methods of Investigating Incidents ................................................................................................ 30
Implications of Controlling Environmental Factors ...................................................................... 30
Implications of Developing a Formal Security Plan ...................................................................... 32
Conclusions .................................................................................................................................... 32
References ...................................................................................................................................... 37

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1
Types of Workplace Violence as Defined by NIOSH .................................. 11

Table 2
Rates of Violent Incidents in Australian Construction Workers from 1993 to
1998................................................................................................................ 18

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Rate of Incidents of Workplace Violence Reported by Health and Safety
Professionals in the Last 10 Years ................................................................. 18

Figure 2 Time of Workday that Incidents of Workplace Violence were Reported to
Occur. ............................................................................................................. 20

Figure 3 Environmental Factors Considered Possible Root Causes Investigations by
Health and Safety Professionals..................................................................... 22

LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A Questionnaire
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About this Master's Thesis

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• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Career Masters of Public Health
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Workplace Violence Workplace safety
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	O'Connor, Jean, Emory University
Committee Members	Alperin, Melissa, Emory University McElhaney , Mark , Critical Response Associates, LLC

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