Proceed With Caution

When Using Powerful Terms and Important Statistics...

Security professionals are peers to many across our businesses, all the more so with those who concentrate on environmental, health, and safety. EHS Today is a popular trade journal supporting that segment of the business. As I read "Workplace Violence Claims the Lives of Two Workers Every Day” by Laura Walter in the October 2011 issue I became concerned that the headline and the text conflated terms and incorrectly applied statistics used to describe workplace violence. I sent an email to Sandy Smith, editor of EHS Today, making the following observations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2009 there were 837 workplace fatalities resulting from "assaults and violent acts," a category which included 542 homicides and 263 suicides that year. The claim that "Workplace Violence Claims the Lives of Two Workers Every Day" is only true if we include workplace suicides. That there are half as many suicides as there are murders in the workplace is a story I have not seen examined in any trade journal, but Ms. Walter discussed only "disgruntled employees" in her piece.

Based on averages of data recorded from 1997-2010, of the 542 homicides at work in the U.S. in 2009 75% can be attributed to killings during robberies and other criminal acts. Offenders in such cases are categorized by the FBI as Type I. The remaining 25% are divided between clients and patients (7%), coworkers and former coworkers (10%), and family and friends (8%). Offenders in these categories are Types II, III, and IV, respectively.

Referring to the aggregate number while discussing only Type III homicides perpetrated by "disgruntled employees” overstates the frequency of what most American think of when they hear the term "workplace violence” by a factor of fifteen. This sort of overstatement is not unusual in news reporting, but I propose we will have an easier time addressing these important issues if the debate is not contaminated with inflammatory rhetoric.

I’ve been told by a wise peer "I don't think employees are really concerned about the [workplace violence] perpetrator's classification." I couldn't agree more, especially when the violence is in progress. I know I sound too clinical while poking and prodding at our understanding of these issues. For me the value of understanding the nature of these offenders, their needs in some cases, their motivations in others, and their methods, is to help us prepare to detect, deter, prevent, or defeat them.

I was pleased to receive a prompt and detailed reply from Sandy Smith, editor of EHS Today. Ms. Smith defended Ms. Walter's article, suggesting that the statistic was provided by Dr. Barton. That the headline came from the mouth of Dr. Barton had occurred to me, but I expect professional journalists to dig beneath authoritative pronouncements for more of the story. More importantly, Ms. Smith pointed out that the aggregated number represents a lot a tragedy, regardless how the statistics break out. With that sentiment I am in complete agreement. The 837 violent deaths at work in 2009 are well over the two deaths per day offered in the headline.

I remain concerned that we distract employees, employers, and our communities from the larger (and perhaps more tractable) problems of robbery/homicide and workplace suicide when we let the media reinforce the faulty notion that deadly violence at the hands of disgruntled coworkers is common. I have seen too many security professionals - especially those of us selling products, services, or books - misuse statistics like these to promote a response based on fear rather than sober analysis.

After such an analysis we come up with some important facts to consider. In descending order of frequency:

• Robbery/homicide is a risk to cab drivers and retail personnel, especially at night. Robbery prevention calls for facilities improvements, physical security measures, changes to business practices, and employee training. The prevention of on-duty killings of law enforcement and security personnel calls for specialized safety training and personal protective equipment unlike that provided to employees engaged in non-enforcement work.

• Suicide in the workplace suicide is an extremely complex issue that calls for attention from management, our peers in Human Resources, the Employee Assistance Program, and insurers.

• Workplace homicides perpetrated by coworkers and former coworkers; clients and patients; or family, friends, and other associates is what most people (and the news media) think of when they hear the phrase “workplace violence.” Yet, even combined, these three categories account for the smallest fraction of workplace deaths and murders. If we focus on solutions for this issue to the exclusion of others we will ignore the great majority of workplace deaths due to “assaults and violent acts.”

Here are a couple more facts to consider. First, despite the media drumbeat to the contrary, workplace homicide has been declining steadily over the past 18 years and is only 50% what it was when the BLS began tracking in 1992. Second, when we focus only on fatalities we risk losing track of the impact of 22,720 lost time injuries resulting from nonfatal assaults and violent acts. Third, workplace suicides appear to be on the rise.

Imagine the impact security and EHS professionals might have if we insist this problem be understood in its true complexity and approached as a set of issues requiring a variety of solutions applied across disciplines. We have much work to do. Let’s be certain we’re using our finite resources where they can do the most good.

References:

Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care & Social Service Workers - OSHA Publication 3148 (2004) http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3148.pdf

Homicide: Occupational homicides by selected characteristics, 1997-2010 http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/work_hom.pdf

Number and percent distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work1 by event or exposure leading to injury or illness and number of days away from work, private industry, 2009 http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/ostb2516.pdf

Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments - OSHA Publication 3153 (1998) http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3153.pdf

Revisions to the 2009 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) counts http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cfoi_revised09.pdf

Workplace Violence, 1993-2009 National Crime Victimization Survey and the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/wv09.pdf

Work-related Homicides: The Facts http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/archive/spring2000art1.pdf

UPDATE: As of 18 October 2011 an edited version of this post has been published at the EHS Today Out Loud blog.

Workplace Violence, National and Local

I'm going to have to find something positive to post about one of these days; for now, not so much...

There was a notorious workplace violence incident in California Wednesday morning (5 October 2011) that resulted in a community-wide manhunt that ended with the death of the suspect, Shareef Allman, Thursday morning. The site of the incident - Lehigh Hanson's Permanente Cement Plant - is a landmark in the hills above the South Bay city of Cupertino. Three persons were killed, seven were wounded, and the gunman was killed by the police after a 22 hour search. I encourage you to read the details of this case as it illustrates the complexity of connecting the dots in advance of violence (it's easy to do after the incident). There was a history of domestic violence (which does not always occur in these cases).  There were comments made to family members describing inappropriate use of military-style weapons.  There were long standing grievances at work.  Pay attention also to the idea that the perpetrator deliberately blocked exit routes before he began shooting.  We will learn more over time about how many different warning signs Allman was leaking up the fatal day. 

If your coworkers, family members, or friends make statements or engage in behaviors that concern you tell your employer or local police IMMEDIATELY.

Not all such cases make the national news. Sometimes disagreements, harassment, and stalking escalate to fatal violence. It doesn't always happen, but it can happen anywhere, even in the land of "Minnesota Nice." Stephanie Jaeb Maxam, an executive at U.S. Bank, was killed by her ex-husband Monday evening (3 October 2011) in the parking lot of the Parkdale Plaza at 1660 Highway 100 South, just a few short blocks south of us in St. Louis Park, MN. The only suspect, David Maxam, was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  They were divorced in 2006.  Intimate partner violence can happen anywhere to anybody.  While it may be human nature to turn away from arguments between strangers in public places; we may be the only ones who notice and take action in time.
 
If you know of anyone who is struggling with intimate partner violence offer to help them reach out to organizations such as Tubman or The Hotline IMMEDIATELY.

Robert Patrick Graves shot himself in his car in front of coworkers after being terminated by his employer in the Minneapolis suburb of Burnsville, MN, Thursday 29 September 2011. Family and friends report he was struggling with depression. I wonder how many of them knew he possessed a firearm. According to the BLS while the workplace homicide rate is near an all time low, workplace suicides have never been higher. Suicide at work is also a risk factor for homicide at work. Security, safety, and HR professionals need to remain alert for signs that employees are suffering from untreated depression.

If you know anyone who is dealing with depression or other suicide risk factors help them find assistance with groups such as SAVE or Suicide.org IMMEDIATELY.

There was an officer-involved shooting 22 September 2011 on Highway 394 west of downtown Minneapolis.  Katherine Gordon apparently brandished a pistol during a traffic stop and was shot in self defense by a Golden Valley Police Officer.  Ms. Gordon had previously complained of delusions and had attempted to find mental health treatment on several occasions before the deadly incident.

If anyone you know is reporting command hallucinations get them to a doctor or the emergency room. If they possess a firearm do whatever it takes to secure it.  If you can't get the help they need call your county social services hotline.  Do it now and be prepared to be persistent.

Was It Angels?

Or Jeremiah Fogle's puny pistol?

The Reverend William Boss, returned to work at the Greater Faith Christian Center Church in Lakeland, Florida, last Sunday, two weeks after Jeremiah Fogle, former deacon at the church, shot him in the head while he knelt in prayer.  Doctors report the bullet from Fogle's .32 caliber (a rather small cartridge which has been more or less obsolete since the invention of penicillin) revolver failed to penetrate Boss's skull even though the shot was delivered at almost contact distance.  Boss says his surviving being shot in the head was a miracle. 

"Ain't no doubt heaven opened up; it was some angels that were faster than a bullet," Boss said to his congregation.

Too bad the angels didn't arrive in time to stop the bullet before it struck Boss in the head.  Too bad the angels didn't make Fogle miss altogether, or make his gun misfire, or make him stumble and drop it down a storm drain as he walked to the church.  Most of all, it's too bad there were no angels inclined to save Theresa Fogle when Jeremiah Fogle gunned her down in their home a block from the church.

In grimly related news: Fogle's older brother Collis is a Chaplain to the Highlands County Sheriff's Department.  One paragraph in a brief news story leapt off the page at me.

"He said he knew nothing about the circumstances around his brother's shooting another wife, Diane Fogle, at their home in July 1986. At the time, the couple lived across the street from the Rev. Fogle."

I do so look forward to learning how this Jeremiah Fogle's life got so badly out of hand, why no one seems to have seen any of it coming, and (just maybe) why being Christian had so little impact on the lives of those involved in this horrible drama.

Be Careful What You Wish For

While the prospect of school shootings is horrifying over-reaction is not a solution...

In his opinion piece titled Mining Student Data Could Save Lives, Lieutenant Michael Morris of the University Police at California State University-Channel Islands thinks data mining university networks is a possible preventative to a Virginia Tech sort of scenario.

My reply to The Chronicle of Higher Education reads as follows:

Dear Lt. Morris,

I am pleased your opinion piece is just that – opinion – because if it were your department’s policy your institution would have a variety of ethical, legal, and technical hurdles to surmount. Your ideas around data mining for mental health data should have been labeled with some serious yet rudimentary caveats.

“It is a form of behavioral surveillance, and it can be used to predict, with amazing accuracy, the propensity for a person's future behavior.“

Please cite the research that demonstrates the effectiveness of data mining for the prevention of workplace and school violence.

“Although university administrators may resist the idea of passive behavioral surveillance of the campus community because of privacy considerations, the truth is that society has been systematically forfeiting its rights to online privacy…”

Individuals may choose to share personal information with service providers but that does not mean all citizens (or college students) have surrendered their constitutionally guaranteed rights (1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments for starters).

“…his sweating hands firmly clutched the grips of the twin Glock 22 pistols he had ordered online.”

“…shopped online for high-powered firearms…”

While it’s tempting to lead with a lurid example they are more effective absent factual errors. As you well know, while a person might shop for firearms on-line they are purchased in highly regulated face to face transactions. In the case of handguns they cannot be purchased by persons under 21 years of age. What’s more, California citizens are further protected by a state ban on high capacity magazines.

“An important distinction would have to be made between violations of the law and violations of campus policy, and established guidelines would have to be followed to ensure the student's rights to due process.”

What shall your department do with all the other contraband you encounter during this electronic dragnet? File sharing, use of bootleg software, and possession of illegal pornography all represent violations of the law. Can you, as a law enforcement officer, overlook such items in the interest of pursuing a health and safety interest? After that, how do you propose to winnow through all the false positives to get at the potentially serious cases? Finally, given that homicidal ideation rarely results in deadly action on what grounds will your department pursue investigation, corrective action, suspension, dismissal, or involuntary treatment for thought crimes?

Gratefully workplace and school shootings are very rare. When potential cases are brought to the attention of law enforcement professionals like yourself your community can count on you to make use of every lawful means to prevent harm. Please look into the many ethical, legal, and technical impediments to your current concept. Reasoned discourse on this important topic is of great value to all. Thank you for putting your opinions out there.

Armor Bearers?

Flunkies, personal assistants, handlers, sycophants, bodyguards, or thugs?  Depends...

There was a shooting at the Greater Faith Christian Center Church in Lakeland, Florida, last Sunday. 

The attacker, Jeremiah Fogle - who was convicted of manslaughter in the shooting death of one of his six former wives - had just murdered his seventh wife in their home.  Before killing her he apparently made her compose a lengthy confession of infidelity.  He left an open bible near the body. Fogle - who had served as a deacon in the church before having a falling out with the leadership - then walked a block to the church.  He strode into the sanctuary and opened fire.  He wounded the pastor (gravely) and assistant pastor (less so) before being wrestled to the floor and disarmed.  The men who tackled Fogle were later described as "Armor Bearers."  Seems some especially important church pastors select members of their flock to serve as armor bearers.

"What the heck is an armor bearer?" I said to myself.  Actually, I know what armor bearers were, but what has the archaic phrase got to do with a little church in Middle of Nowhere, Florida?  The term "armor bearer" once described an attendant who carried an Old Testament military leader’s fighting gear until he needed it. At other times he fought alongside his boss, to the death in more than a few cases.

More than a few bible heroes had armor bearers: Jonathan (1 Samuel 14), Abimelech (Judges 9:53-54), Saul (1 Samuel 31:4), Elijah (2 Kings 3:11), and Moses (Joshua 1).  No less than David himself may have been the bible's most famous armor bearer (1 Samuel 16:21).  Jesus of Nazareth does not seem to have had any armor bearers, but after his departure his apostles selected Stephen to wait on them (Acts 6).  So, a pastor who appoints armor bearers might be accused of equating himself with the likes of Saul, Moses, or the Apostles, but not Jesus.  I could make some sort of snarky comment here, but I won't.

According to a variety of church websites and religious forums in some churches armor bearer carries the pastor’s bible and in some cases they carry firearms.  This Bronze Age concept has spawned a cottage industry.  There are books, blogs, training courses, websites, and providers of services. 

Judging from a random assortment of forums there are many people who find their pastor’s armor bearers intimidating.  Why is that?  Well, varied descriptions of the appointment, roles, responsibilities, and personal attributes speak to self aggrandizement, a cult of personality, and a preacher who thinks himself more important than the message.

Among this particular branch of the faithful there is much talk of spiritual warfare.  

"Much of Christianity today is cowering before the enemy with our entire spiritual arsenal stripped from us because we have compromised ourselves before our enemies of the faith.  What is needed today are new heroes of the faith who are willing to do great exploits by taking great risks in faith to insure the victories that are needed."

Call me a weak reed if you must, but when I hear armed bodyguards talking about their protectees as though they are Old Testament prophets and secular society, church dissidents, and would-be assassins as the personal representatives of Satan I get a serious chill.

According to the book "God’s Armor Bearer," by Terry Nance, an Armor Bearer must:

Provide strength for the leader

Have a deep-down sense of respect for the leader, and acceptance for and tolerance of, the leader’s personality and their way of doing things

Instinctively understand the leader’s thoughts

Walk in agreement with and submission to the leader

Make the advancement of the leader the most important goal

Possess endless strength so as to thrust, press and force their way onward without giving way under harsh treatment

Follow directives immediately and correctly

Be a support to the leader

Be an effective communicator

Have a disposition that will eagerly gain victories for the leader

Have the ability to minister strength and courage to the leader

Talk about a recipe for delusions of grandeur, of biblical proportions no less.  Still, if all this were only about preacher's egos, surrounding oneself with yes men, or imagining oneself a Solomon my reservations would be mostly academic.  The problem is that assassins are created by their cultures and communities.  Madness is made worse by unhealthy surroundings.  And sometimes the person you piss off is a bigger whacko than you, and a convicted killer to boot.  Dynamics that create in group/out group distinctions, perceived inequity, discomfort, fear, a sense of helplessness, or an abusive or toxic work (or worship) environment can confound attempts to manage a workplace violence threat. 

We don’t have any reason to believe such issues apply to this case (Fogle was a former deacon not an armor bearer), but then we don't yet know much about the power relationships at Greater Faith Christian Center Church. I expect we will learn more about this sad case.  I predict - unhappily - that it will prove even uglier than it currently appears.