Safety

1. In applying this policy, no management or non-management employee or volunteer shall take any action that will risk his or her own safety or the safety of other individuals. No attempt should ever be made by an employee or volunteer to restrain or forcibly evict an angry or armed person from the premises. No employee shall confront a visitor regarding possession of a weapon. No employee shall store a weapon for anyone.
2. Employees shall use non-physical skills when attempting to de-escalate aggressive behaviors.
• Policy Clarification: This policy is not intended to prohibit a person from using physical force for self-defense or to defend a third person as permitted under Oregon laws.
3. An employee or volunteer who believes it is necessary to be protected from threat of physical harm shall report the threat to his or her supervisor or other appropriate member of management and may request to be escorted by the State Police or local law enforcement agency or a co-worker or management staff.

Notify Law Enforcement Agency

1. Refer to the Threat Matrix (DHS #0052) for when law enforcement shall be notified. Always notify law enforcement when a weapon is brought into the office even if the person claims to have a concealed handgun permit. Let the law enforcement officer check the validity of the permit. Worksite protocol shall be followed for notification of law enforcement. If, in an employee’s judgment, waiting to notify management prior to law enforcement would place persons in danger, employees have the authority to contact law enforcement. The Department would rather employees err on the side of safety than hesitate to involve law enforcement.

 

On-site Incident Analysis

1. The supervisor will analyze the situation and determine appropriate action.
2. CTAT is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist managers with determining additional appropriate actions beyond notification of law enforcement. Refer to the Emergency Action Handbook on the DHS Safety and Health website for information on how to contact CTAT.

 

Incident Reporting

1. After securing the safety of building occupants, the supervisor will obtain a description of the incident from the employee who is most directly involved and report this information in accordance with the instructions in the Emergency Action Handbook.
• It is advised that management have employees describe the incident in writing using the DHS 2107, e-mail, or any other form used by the office for the purpose of documenting threats.
2. The supervisor will notify cluster management as predetermined and documented in the Emergency Action Handbook, as well as notifying occupants, partners, other agencies, which may be in danger, and others as directed by management.

 

Debriefing

1. Prior to leaving for the day, the supervisor should conduct a de-escalation meeting with employees involved in the incident. Using input from employees, the manager should analyze actions which may have been taken to prevent the incident and identify action to protect the immediate safety of employees and address the behavior of the perpetrator as well as identify corrective action to prevent or better respond to future similar incidents.
2. For acts of violence, supervisors shall contact the department’s Employee Assistant Program provider to request a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.

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Policy & Procedure(s)

• DHS-080-008, Prevention of Violence/Weapons in the Workplace Policy
• DHS-080-008-01, Prevention of Violence/Weapons in the Workplace Procedure

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Contact

• Name: Robert Salinas III; Phone: 503-945-6380; E-mail: robert.salinas@state.or.us

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If you have comments about this site, send email to dhs.policyinfo@state.or.us.

Oregon Department of Human Services
500 Summer St. NE E25, Salem, OR 97301-1098
Phone: (503) 945-5944
Fax: (503) 378-2897
TTY: (503) 947-5330