Workplace Violence

By Don Harkness, East Coast Regional Manager, SEA

Something we hopefully will never have to deal with…

Work is a haven for us. We spend more time working than with loved ones at home in some occasions, and we should feel the same sort of safety from home in the workplace. As we have seen in the years past, workplace violence has become more and more frequent. There are many theories as to why that is, be it reactive culture, social media, or behavioral burdens, among others; however, we must be prepared to face these events in a safe and effective manner. So what can we do?

Emergency Action Plans in workplaces require drills for certain emergencies. The most common is fire evacuation, but there are also practice events for tornadoes, bomb threats, chemical releases, etc. Workplace violence is a bit more challenging, but well-thought-out practice scenarios will ensure employees are prepared for the unexpected. 

So what methods must we employ and practice regarding workplace violence? The common methods are three simple words: Run, Hide, or Fight. These simple concepts can help protect employees, but they need to be informed of what they mean in your situation. Annual (or more frequent if necessary) training in this emergency is a must. A simple conversation goes far. In my auditing experience, when discussing these matters with employees, they make assumptions about procedures because they haven’t been practiced. Having these conversations with employees opens their eyes to possibilities they wouldn't think of in a crisis.

So, let’s get to it.

The best option by far. Removing yourself from a hazardous situation is the safest thing for you to do. In conversations I have had, most people tell me they go to the muster points for fire evacuation so they can escape. While I appreciate the fact that they know they must leave, talking to employees to remind them that they become targets in that case makes them reconsider their training. DO NOT CONGREGATE ANYWHERE. Call 911 once you are safe with as many details as you can muster. The point of the training will emphasize the importance of finding a unique and different route to ensure they are not followed and that the assailant is not simply waiting for them

The next best option for self-preservation is to find a place to hide. A lockable door, a windowless room, and an area with lots of potential for hiding yourself are the keys here. We want to find a place where the intruder will not look, but you have protections in the room in case they find the area. Do not make noise, and do not open the door unless it is a law officer or public safety official. This typically leads into the third option

The last resort. When faced with this option, find something heavy that can be used to knock a weapon loose, such as a fire extinguisher, chair, pipe, or something similar. You are looking to incapacitate the intruder. Do not hesitate if the situation gets to this point. 

The safety experts at SEA have over 90 years of combined experience in keeping workplaces safe and healthy, with key equipment inspections, policies, procedures, and on-site expertise, as well as a vast knowledge regarding training practices in emergency situations and many other topics. Running drills for emergencies or simply hosting a training topic to ensure employees can ask questions are just a few of the many ways SEA can help keep you safe in the workplace.