UT Police Strengthens Workplace Violence Prevention Efforts

On April 2, the UT Police Workplace Violence Prevention team set up an informational table to raise awareness about workplace violence and promote a culture of safety and respect throughout the community. Since Director Radford assumed leadership of the program, the primary goal has been to educate individuals about the different forms of workplace violence, share prevention strategies, and highlight available resources for support and reporting.

As part of Workplace Violence Awareness Month, UT Police is intensifying efforts to foster a safer work environment through its Workplace Violence Prevention Program. Radford and his team are spearheading a multi-disciplinary approach to curb violence across MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston.

“Increasing awareness is our first priority,” Radford said. “Many people don’t fully understand what constitutes workplace violence. By defining it, sharing examples, and encouraging reporting, we hope to build a culture of safety.”

Workplace violence can manifest in various forms, including criminal intent, customer or patient aggression, worker-on-worker conflicts, and incidents stemming from personal relationships. Despite the prevalence of such cases, Radford said, many incidents remain unreported.

“Unfortunately, a lot of frontline critical staff have come to see violence as just part of the job,” he said. “Our goal is to change that mindset and equip employees with the tools to report and prevent violence incidents.”

Training for our community

UT Police’s Workplace Violence Prevention Program offers and Non-Escalation, De-Escalation, and Crisis Management courses to the community. CPI Non-Violent Crisis Intervention is a specialized course designed to teach best practices for handling difficult situations and disruptive behaviors. This training is particularly beneficial for health care professionals, including nurses and clinical practitioners, it is also valuable for anyone who interacts with the public. The Non-Escalation, De-Escalation, and Crisis Management course focuses on three key areas: predicting and preventing conflict before it arises, managing and reducing challenging behaviors before they become violent, and safely interacting with individuals who may have lost control due to cognitive challenges or mental illness.

The Workplace Violence Prevention team has been actively engaged in initiatives to promote safety and awareness throughout the institutions. They recently participated in the Vizient Mock Survey follow-up on March 31, developing an action plan for workplace violence prevention. This survey is conducted by consultants from Vizient who assess MD Anderson’s compliance with Joint Commission standards. The team is also preparing for a Workplace Violence Site Assessment, where they will assess risks, educate staff, and evaluate the physical environment.

On April 23, during 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the team will be at the Pickens Tower Skybridge with engaging activities as well as information for the community.

Upcoming events

Looking ahead, the team will take part in the MD Anderson Health and Wellness Fair on May 29 in collaboration with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), hosting a Mental Health Block Party. Through these events, the Workplace Violence Prevention Team aims to foster a safe and supportive work environment.

Contact the team

CPI Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and Non-Escalation, De-Escalation, and Crisis Management courses are available to MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston workforce members and students. Those interested in scheduling a session for their team can contact the Workplace Violence Prevention team at (832) 750-6606 or via email at [email protected].

For immediate threats, call 911. Non-urgent concerns can be reported confidentially through the 2-STOP line at (713) 792-7867.