AttacHment_05-SRS_Policy_on_Prevention_of_Workplace_Violence.pdf

U.S. FOREST SERVICE

SOUTHERN RESEARCH STATION

POLICY FOR PREVENTION OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

For

CONTRACTORS AND COOPERATORS

The Southern Research Station (SRS) has a zero-tolerance workplace violence policy for contractors and cooperators when engaged in activities on SRS facilities, properties, and Government furnished quarters.

SRS is committed to the prevention and appropriate response to workplace violence. It is my responsibility and that of every SRS employee, contractor, and cooperator to prevent and report workplace violence.

All reports of workplace violence will be taken seriously and will be dealt with appropriately. Violence, threats, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and other disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Such behavior can include oral or written statements, gestures, or expressions that communicate a direct or indirect threat of physical harm. Belligerence, violent outbursts, aggressive arguing, and swearing at others are all indicators of workplace violence which will not be tolerated. Individuals who commit such acts will be removed immediately from the premises and may be subject to criminal penalties.

Do not ignore violent, threatening, harassing, intimidating, or other disruptive behavior. If you observe or experience such behavior on agency premises or other work environments, report it immediately to your supervisor, Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), or Grants and Agreements (G&A) Specialist.

Threats or assaults that require immediate attention by security or police should be reported first to police at 911 or your local security officers. If you do call police or security, also notify an SRS manager, COR, CO, or G&A Specialist and alert them to the situation as soon as possible for upward reporting and further actions.

Be aware that federal law, Title 18 U.S. Code, Section 930 prohibits the possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons in federal facilities. This includes government-owned and leased space, government-owned and leased vehicles, and personal vehicles when used on official business. Exception may be made only if the possession of the weapon is an approved job requirement. All employees, contractors, and cooperators are responsible for securing their own workplace; this includes ensuring exit doors, which are automatically or routinely locked during business hours, are not propped open and left unattended, allowing unauthorized access to the workplace.

Additional guidance can be found in "The USDA Handbook on Workplace Violence-Prevention and Response." This and other applicable documents are on USDA Human Resources website at http://www.dm.usda.gov/employ/cmp loyeerelations/violenceprevent.htm. Information is also available from the US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at:

http ://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/. All employees, contractors, cooperators should be trained and familiar with the local office's Occupant Emergency Plan, which is their local guide on what to do in case of workplace emergencies.

I am committed to enforcing this policy and will support all efforts made by supervisors, agency specialists, and law enforcement officers in dealing with violent, threatening, harassing, intimidating, or other disruptive behavior in the workplace.

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ROBERT L. DOUDRJCK Ph.D.

Station Director

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Attachment 5

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