A blocking and distance management staff training intervention for torso- and head-directed aggression

Area of Science:

• Behavior analysis
• Occupational safety
• Aggression management

Background:

• Decades of research focused on decreasing client aggressive behavior.
• Limited research on preventing staff injuries during treatment implementation.
• Need for effective safety strategies for direct-care staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To teach direct-care staff targeted blocking and distance management techniques.
• To prevent injuries to staff working with aggressive clients.
• To evaluate the acquisition and generalization of these safety skills.

Main Methods:

• Three direct-care staff members participated.
• Training focused on specific blocking and distance management techniques.
• Skills were assessed in simulations and the natural work environment.

Main Results:

• All staff members acquired the targeted safety skills during simulations.
• Two of the three participants demonstrated generalization of skills to their work environment.
• The techniques aimed to maintain client safety while preventing staff injuries.

Conclusions:

• Targeted blocking and distance management are teachable skills for staff safety.
• Skill generalization is achievable in the natural work setting.
• Further research can enhance staff safety protocols in behavior analysis settings.