safeguarding your workplace: the evolution of workplace violence prevention.

Between 2021 and 2022, workplace violence resulted in time away from the job for over 50,000 employees in the US, and it is the fifth leading cause of death in the workplace. Assaults, injuries, and fatalities have seen an increase compared to previous years, both in frequency and severity of the claims. This increase is primarily due to the rise of simple assault, which is defined as the threat or attempted injury of another and does not require physical contact. With various environmental and emotional factors raising tensions nationwide and many companies adopting return-to-office policies, it is more important than ever to build a robust safety plan to combat this concerning trend.

the impact of workplace violence 

Workplace violence not only leaves victims with lasting physical and emotional damage, but it also has significant impacts on an organization’s productivity and bottom line. Employees impacted an incident can find themselves experiencing a range of lasting emotional and mental states that impact their performance at work. 20% of employees could develop depression, and as many as 32% find themselves dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other traumatic disorders as a result. In addition, an unsafe work environment leads to high turnover and lower job satisfaction. The added stress from the threat of an incident can lead to increased absenteeism, lower quality of work, burnout, and other factors.

creating a culture of safety

Like any safety program, creating a strong culture of accountability and proactive response builds a foundation for success. Once you have established a company culture that recognizes the threat of workplace violence and the importance of planning and preparing, along with other safety drills, you are on the way to creating a safe work environment.

assess your safety maturity

Assessing the maturity of your organization’s safety culture is a good starting point for determining what steps to take when beginning your safety plan. The goal is to reach a “transformative” culture that incorporates safety into daily operations. Many companies begin this process in a “reactive” culture that spends time addressing problems after the fact rather than working to prevent them.

perform a risk assessment

Creating a prevention plan for workplace violence, like any safety initiative, requires a comprehensive risk assessment. Assessments should include a realistic gap evaluation to identify potential hazards or incidents. Once that is complete, rank the risks, establish a budget, and develop a plan that includes handbooks, policies, and any security measures required.

establish your values

Clearly identifying and communicating your core values as an organization is a key step in forming a culture. Incorporating strict safety standards into the values ensures they remain top of mind and highlight their importance.

commitment from leadership

Core values are only as important as you make them, so it is essential that these values are prioritized and practiced above all other factors—even over production goals. Any culture change must include leadership, ensuring they are on board with expectations and allowing flexibility in operations to adapt to new values.

adequate training

A staggering 32% of manufacturing workers state they received zero training before starting.  Not only should every employee receive adequate onboarding, but this training must also include elements to help foster a culture of safety. Topics like identifying and de-escalating conflicts should be given equal importance and exposure to machine handling safety, forklift safety, or any other standard prevention practice.

expectations of accountability

Once you have identified your risk areas, set expectations for preparation, planning - and reporting - incidents. Employees should understand that they are first and foremost responsible for their safety. Reporting infractions, such as allowing someone to “piggyback” into a restricted area without proper identification or badging in, should always be acknowledged as good safety practice and not met with punitive or retaliatory action. A strong safety culture is one where employees feel empowered to speak up and call out unsafe practices.

stay ahead of legislation

While there may not be a federal standard for workplace violence safety prevention and planning, getting a headstart may be the right move. California’s Cal/OSHA division has established requirements for a statewide workplace violence prevention standard that went into effect July 1st, 2024. Like with heat safety and many other initiatives, California is typically a front-runner, often leading to Federal OSHA adoption. Adopting these practices early can prepare you for when legislation is formalized. California’s new law includes the following standards for employers:

• Employers must implement and maintain a Workplace Violence Prevention Program at all times. This can be a standalone or incorporated into a pre-existing injury and illness prevention program.
• If different locations have different hazards, the plan must be customized to the location.
• Employers must keep an incident log that includes the incident, post-incident response and investigation.
• Plans must be reviewed at a minimum once a year or after the occurrence of a workplace violence incident.
• Employers must provide effective training that is specific to the job and location.
• The Workplace Violence Prevention Plan must be accessible to all employees.
• Employers may not take punitive or retaliatory action against an employee who seeks intervention from emergency or law enforcement services.

key takeaways

Your workplace violence prevention program will be unique to your organization, but the building blocks are universal. By establishing a solid foundation and prioritizing the safety and welfare of your employees, not only can you sleep easier at night, but you also can reap the rewards of providing a safe work environment: a stronger company reputation, higher productivity, an increase in employee morale, and lower turnover rates. By following the industry guidance provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Department of Homeland Security, and other industry leaders, you can build a robust safety plan to protect your organization.