Current through Register 1538, January 3, 2025
Section 19.04 - Workplace Violence Prevention and Crisis Response Plan Requirements(1) All programs must develop and maintain a workplace violence prevention and crisis response plan using existing staff resources that includes the following: (a) a clear description of procedures for reporting acts of workplace violence;(b) a system for centrally recording all reported incidents of workplace violence against human service workers. Such records must at a minimum include the names of the involved parties, date and location of incident, description of incident, and nature of any injuries. Except as requested pursuant to 101 CMR 19.07, all records created under 101 CMR 19.04(1)(b) are confidential to the extent permitted by law;(c) measures the program will take in response to an incident of workplace violence against human service workers, which includes both immediate crisis response and follow-up measures;(d) information indicating where victims and perpetrators can go for help;(e) a statement that any use of work time or workplace facilities to commit or threaten to commit acts of workplace violence is cause for discipline up to and including termination of employment or contract; and(f) a statement that retaliation is prohibited against anyone who reports an incident of workplace violence. (2) All programs must review their workplace violence prevention and crisis response plan at least annually, including all reported incidents and measures taken, and must modify the plan as indicated necessary by the review. Programs must conduct a risk assessment, and must identify and implement prevention methods to reduce the risk of workplace violence (e.g., enhanced building security features, emergency contact alarms, additional training, staffing plans, and program policies).(3) If the plan includes the creation of a violence prevention and response team or committee, it must identify existing staff as the members of such response team or committee. The team or committee may monitor ongoing compliance with the violence prevention and crisis response plan, and to assist human service workers who may be victimized by or threatened with workplace violence. The members of the team or committee may monitor such compliance and assist workers who may be subjects of workplace violence.Adopted by Mass Register Issue 1268, eff. 8/29/2014.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1282, eff. 2/15/2015.