Violence in the Workplace

Violence in the Workplace Training

Many states require training on violence prevention in the workplace. Workplace violence against employees in many sectors, including healthcare, is on the rise. Ensuring employees have the tools to identify and de-escalate acts of violence has the potential to save lives. It is one of the easiest and most important steps workplaces can take to promote employee safety. 

Violence in the workplace training consists of educating employees on how to identify threats. This will help staff notice potentially dangerous situations before they escalate. Employees will learn how to respond to workplace violence and manage the situation properly. This is essential to keeping individuals safe. Furthermore, staff will learn prevention techniques to keep the workplace a safe environment for all and minimize future risks.

Importance of Violence in the Workplace Training

Studies show that up to thirty percent of employees feel unprepared to deal with incidents of workplace violence. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that over 18,000 employees suffer injuries from workplace violence every year. Nearly 500 employees die every year as a result of workplace violence. It is the third leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States. 

This number should be zero. Training is essential to help employees feel prepared to handle risky situations and keep them safe.

Identifying Violence in the Workplace

OSHA defines workplace violence as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the workplace and can range from threats, verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide”. 

Violence in the workplace can take a variety of forms, including:

• Threats of physical violence
• Harassment
• Intimidation
• Other threatening disruptive behavior

There are four types of workplace violence:

• Violence by strangers
• Violence by clients
• Violence by coworkers
• Violence by personal relationships

Certain settings make workplace violence more likely to occur. Identifying the presence of these settings in the workplace is important in terms of reducing the risks posed to employees. 

Identifying Threats in the Workplace

Some workplaces carry more risks than others. For example, workplaces with a lack of security, where weapons may be present, or where people under the influence of substances may be at higher risk for a violent incident to occur. Understanding all of the risks in greater detail, along with how to prevent them, is key to protecting employees.

Steps to Keep Employees Safe

There are a number of steps employers can take to keep employees safe. 

First, teaching staff to identify risk factors and warning signs prevents violent incidents from escalating.

Second, employers can develop emergency action plans in the event of an emergency. Emergency action plans educate staff on what to do in the event of various incidents.

Third, employers can develop evacuation procedures. This ensures employees can exit the workplace to safety in the event of a dangerous incident.

Understanding how to implement these solutions in-depth is essential to protecting your staff. Taking the Violence in the Workplace 3 course will provide this essential information.

Violence Prevention Program

OSHA recommends employers develop a workplace violence prevention program. This program should be shared with all employees. The program requires active input and participation from managers and employees, an understanding of risks in the workplace, training, and recordkeeping. Learn more about how to develop a violence prevention program by taking the course. 

Online Violence in the Workplace Training

This training is fully online. Staff can complete this training at their own pace, allowing them to better digest the content. This course can be completed from any location, so employees can take it in an environment they find comfortable, helping with the retention of content.