HOW TO ACHIEVE THE SAFE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION (SWC)
IMPROVED SAFETY, REDUCED COSTS, IMPROVED EMPLOYEE MORALE AND RETENTION, ENHANCED REPUTATION, AND COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ARE AMONG A RANGE OF BENEFITS FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ACHIEVE THE SWC.
In today's world, workplace safety is a top concern for organizations of all sizes and industries. Workplace violence, in particular, has been on the rise in recent years, with an increase in murder, aggravated assault, and other violent crimes. In response, many organizations are seeking ways to create safer environments for their employees and visitors. One way to achieve this goal is through CPPS' Safe Workplace Certification. This article will discuss the criteria for earning this certification and the benefits it provides to organizations.
Achieving the SWC
To earn CPPS' Safe Workplace Certification, organizations must develop a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention (WVPI) program to receive third-party validation of consistency with Standards. The certification process includes a detailed assessment of the organization's policies, procedures, and training programs for workplace violence prevention and intervention. The assessment is conducted by trained CPPS assessors, who evaluate the organization's compliance with national standards, OSHA directives, and industry best practices. Organizations that meet the certification criteria are recognized for their commitment to creating safer workplaces.
In fact, OSHA Instruction CPL 02-01-058, Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Workplace Violence, outlines areas that will be investigated related to workplace violence. In addition, ASIS International published the ASIS WVPI AA-2020 Workplace Violence and Active Assailant-Prevention, Intervention, and Response American National Standard to provide organizations guidance for how they may develop and implement a WVPI program. CPPS emphasizes these documents because each is recognized as the prevailing benchmark, absent of existing legislation, for civil litigation of workplace violence-related incidents.
A Look at a Comprehensive WVPI Program
Make it stand out
As you can see from the illustration below, CPPS’ leading approach is designed to outline all five required components for building a comprehensive WVPI Program in accordance with prevailing standards. This unique perspective ensures that all areas are covered throughout the organization.
To achieve SWC, an organization must demonstrate that it has implemented adequate safety and security protocols that meet the standards set forth by a certifying organization. Here are the general steps an organization can follow to achieve SWC:
Conduct a comprehensive program analysis, including a needs and/or vulnerability assessment. This assessment should include a review of the organization's culture, policies, procedures, and practices to benchmark consistency with standards and best practices. Based on the findings, the identified gaps should be resolved within the workplace violence Policy, Governance, and Active Assailant Protocol to create a solid foundation for the overall program. This may involve implementing new policies or procedures or making physical modifications to the workplace.
Develop and implement general awareness training for all employees covering all five required topics:
Basic facts about violence
Warning signs
Policy and reporting guidance
Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Response to active assailants
Enhanced training for managers and supervisors, outlining their roles and responsibilities within the WVPI Program. The required topics include:
Understanding the benefits of building relationships for the purpose of establishing baseline behaviors and tuning into the behaviors of others
Identifying and reporting concerning behaviors
Leadership’s role in supporting the Threat Management Team (TMT)
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) training. This training should be designed to train the TMT as a team and include governance implementation. Training for this team covers the following topics:
Behavioral and psychological aspects of violence
Threat assessment
Investigation procedures
Intervention strategies
Incident management
Crisis Management Team (CMT) training. This team should also train as a team completing scenario exercises to practice and rehearse the organization’s Active Assailant Protocol.
Top Management support for the WVPI Program is essential for creating a culture of safety and security and prioritizing prevention. The executive team should have a vital role in supporting the following components:
Establishing WVPI as a priority
Approving official for policy
Personnel designation
Allocation of resources
Assist in incident management.
Submit an application for SWC certification: Once the organization has implemented all of the necessary protocols and has corrected the findings from an assessment, it can submit an application for SWC certification. The certifying organization will review the application and conduct its own assessment of the organization's WVPI Program to ensure that all of the required standards are being met.
Achieving SWC certification requires a commitment to providing employees with a safe and healthy workplace. It is a rigorous process that requires ongoing dedication and effort to maintain compliance with the established standards.
Maintaining a Safe Workplace Certification
After achieving SWC certification, the organization must continue to maintain compliance with the standards set forth by the certifying organization. Regular assessments should be conducted to ensure that the organization continues to meet these standards. Any necessary changes or improvements should be made promptly to maintain the certification. It’s important to remember why this was achieved in the first place. The organization decided to take proactive measures to ensure that employee safety and organizational longevity are a priority. While attaining the SWC is commendable, maintaining it is the way to protect all facets of an organization indefinitely.
Benefits of Safe Workplace Certification
There are numerous benefits of being Safe Workplace Certified. Here are just a few:
Protecting employees: One of the primary reasons for implementing a workplace violence program is to protect employees from harm. A comprehensive program can help identify potential threats early and take proactive measures to prevent threatening and violent incidents from occurring.
Legal and regulatory compliance: Many jurisdictions have laws and regulations in place that require employers to have policies and procedures in place to prevent workplace violence. Failure to comply with these laws can result in legal and financial consequences for the organization.
Reputation and brand image: Workplace violence incidents can have a negative impact on an organization's reputation and brand image. By having a comprehensive workplace violence program in place, an organization can demonstrate its commitment to the safety and well-being of its employees, which can enhance its reputation and brand image.
Employee morale and productivity: Workplace violence can create a sense of fear and anxiety among employees, negatively impacting their morale and productivity. Implementing a workplace violence program can help create a safer and more supportive work environment, improving morale and productivity.
Cost savings: Workplace violence incidents can result in significant costs for an organization, including medical expenses, legal fees, lost productivity, and increased insurance premiums. A comprehensive workplace violence program can help prevent these incidents from occurring, potentially saving the organization significant amounts of money in the long run.
By investing in a WVPI program and earning certification, organizations can reduce the risk of workplace violence and the associated costs. Not to mention it comes at a no added cost benefit to working with CPPS to build a comprehensive WVPI Program. To learn more, visit CPPS.com/safe-workplace-certification
By Stacie Brown, M.ED
