Curriculum: Violence Prevention
Goals: Assessment and support are key elements in determining the risk of violence and means of preventing exposure to violence. Participants will experience a small group activity from the Advisor Element 2: Site Specific Hazard Analysis.
Objectives: Participants will:
Time: 1 Hour.
Materials needed: Unit activity with Assessment Tool, flip chart, and markers
How to conduct the activity: (Note: Underlined portions are instructions to participants.)
Unit leaders will introduce the activity and review unit goals and objectives above. Unit leaders will form groups and request that the groups read, complete the activity requested and assign a recorder/reporter to share the small group discussion with the large group. First, have the group review the assessment tool; next, read the scenario and apply the tool to the scenario; next respond to the questions, emphasizing what should be done to protect the home care worker. Unit leaders should allow about 5 minutes for reading the tool, 5 minutes for reading the scenario and about 10 minutes for the group to complete the tool and respond to questions. To begin the report back ask each group for one response to each question in turn and then open the floor to any other observations or responses. One unit leader should scribe responses of the group. In terms of summary points the unit leaders can summarize and describe the consensus of recommendations to prevent violence. Unit leaders may also recommend resources such as coordination with public health professionals and police for their assessment of neighborhood safety and the possibility of free employer consultation and personal safety training for staff.
Summary: While managers and employees can not control community and home environments, the health and safety program can address the critical process of assessment of the community, building and immediate home environment for risk factors and signs of potential violence. Given a clearmessage that employees are not to be exposed to violence, policies and tools may be implemented that will assess risks for violence, provide support to minimize exposure to violence and training in assessment and self-defense to respond to violence if it does occur. Many community partners such as police and public health professionals may provide free and valuable resources as part of the health and safety program.
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