3.15.020 Definitions.
A. Unsafe Act. Includes, but is not limited to, any deliberate act or behavior which jeopardizes the safety or security of oneself, another person, or County property; or the failure to act, where there is a duty to act and/or take safety precautions or where such failure would reasonably be known to jeopardize the safety or security of oneself, another person or County property. An unsafe act may include physical contact, such as "horseplay" and is prohibited, whether or not an injury, safety violation, or actual harm results.
B. Acts of Violence. Includes, but is not limited to, any deliberate act or behavior which:
1. Results in a physical assault against a person such as hitting, pushing, kicking, holding/restraining, spitting on, or blocking the movement of another person.
2. Constitutes a directly or indirectly communicated or reasonably perceived threat to cause harm, injure, intimidate or frighten another individual;
3. Endangers the safety of oneself or another individual, whether or not an injury results;
4. Would be reasonably perceived to constitute a threat of inflicting physical harm which in any way interferes with a person's safety, or consists of a directly or indirectly communicated or perceived threat to destroy property through the use of a weapon, firearm or other means;
5. Would constitute the violation of a protective or restraining order which lists County locations as being protected areas; or
6. Interferes with the orderly conduct of Pierce County operations.
An unsafe act and/or act of violence does not include communicated direction by a supervisor to require appropriate performance on the job, the imposition of disciplinary action, or warnings that discipline could occur, or law enforcement employees acting within the scope and authority of their position.
C. Weapon. Includes, but is not limited to: firearms, knives, daggers, dirks, switchblades, swords, spears, javelins, bow and arrows, crossbows, darts, blow guns, slingshots, other devices designed to hurl or throw a missile or other object, martial arts devices capable of being used to inflict bodily injury, brass knuckles, striking or clubbing instruments, explosives or blasting caps, electronic stun devices, and any other object used as a weapon to create an unsafe workplace or commit an act of violence.
D. Firearms. Any weapon capable of discharging a projectile by means of compressed air or chemical combustion.
E. Workplace. Any building or area constituting the place where work is performed or assigned; common areas such as reception areas, halls and private or personal work areas; and any other area where employees engage in official County business, including field locations, County parking lots, vehicles either employer owned or leased or privately owned when used on County business.
F. Member of the Public. Any person who has no legitimate employment-related relationship with the County, including: strangers who have no legitimate business relationship with the County; customers or clients who currently or previously have received services from the County or who have or have had a custodial relationship with the County including inmates, criminal suspects or prisoners; and individuals who have or had and personal relationships with County employees such as a current or former spouse, lover, relative, friend or acquaintance.