Violence is the second-leading cause of death on the job—killing three employees every day—and one out of six violent crimes occur in the workplace, costing American industry hundreds of millions of dollars a year in lost productivity, legal fees, and related expenses.
Every business needs a comprehensive risk management program to deal with this threat. Effective record-keeping plays a key role in violence prevention by providing data on incidents of workplace abuse (verbal or physical) whether or not they result in injury, together with records on workers with a history of past violence. For background on scope and consequences, see Workplace Violence and Its Impact.
Use this information to:
- Identify potential problems for correction.
- Review the effectiveness of the program and reevaluate policies and procedures on a regular basis.
- Develop and implement on-the-job training methods of reducing violence.
If a violent incident does strike your workplace, make sure that you provide support for the workers involved and those who witnessed the violence. Have trained response teams and provide post-incident response assistance that includes prompt medical treatment and psychological evaluation, trauma-crisis counseling, support groups, stress debriefing, and employee assistance programs; tailor procedures to the setting and consider special concerns in high-risk locations such as distribution centers—see Safety in Distribution Centers and Workplace Concerns.
As always, our agency's risk management specialists stand ready to offer their professional advice. If you need personalized help, talk to an agent about evaluating your workplace violence prevention and response plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in incident records?
Include date, time, location, people involved, a factual description of what occurred, witness statements, and any actions taken immediately after the incident.
When should an employer provide counseling or medical care?
Provide immediate medical care when needed and arrange timely psychological support for victims and witnesses after any violent event or serious threat.
How can record-keeping reduce future incidents?
Accurate records reveal patterns and risk factors so employers can correct hazards, train staff, and adjust policies to reduce recurrence.
Who should be on a trained response team?
A response team should include trained supervisors, security or safety personnel, HR representatives, and access to medical and mental health resources.