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Home›Courses›Safety Training›Active Shooter: In The Workplace

Active Shooter: In The Workplace

24 minutesEN / ES / MLCCSafety TrainingOSHA General Duty Clause - Workplace violence prevention guidance; California SB 553
Quick Answer

Active Shooter: In The Workplace is a 24-minute online course that trains employees on how to recognize warning signs, respond during an active shooter event using proven survival strategies, and support organizational emergency planning. It is designed for all employees in any workplace setting and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

The FBI designated 24 shootings as active shooter incidents in 2024, with commerce locations and open spaces accounting for the majority of events. Between 2020 and 2024, the FBI recorded 223 active shooter incidents across the United States, and 58% of the 2024 incidents involved attackers who displayed observable predatory behaviors in advance. While the overall trend has decreased since 2021, workplace violence remains a critical safety concern. California's SB 553, effective July 2024, became one of the first state laws requiring most employers to develop workplace violence prevention plans, signaling a regulatory trend toward mandated preparedness.

This course prepares your employees to survive an active shooter event and contribute to a safer workplace through awareness and preparedness. Your team will learn the Run-Hide-Fight response framework endorsed by the Department of Homeland Security, how to recognize behavioral indicators that may precede an attack, what to expect when law enforcement arrives, and how to participate in organizational emergency action planning. The training emphasizes practical survival decisions employees can make in the critical first minutes before law enforcement intervention.

What You'll Learn

  • The Run-Hide-Fight response framework for active shooter situations
  • Recognizing behavioral warning signs and pre-attack indicators
  • Situational awareness techniques for assessing threats in real time
  • What to expect when law enforcement arrives and how to interact with officers
  • Emergency action planning: exit routes, rally points, and communication protocols
  • Reporting suspicious behavior through appropriate channels
  • Post-incident response including medical aid priorities and psychological support

Who Needs This Training

  • All employees in office, retail, manufacturing, and public-facing workplace settings
  • Front desk and reception staff who are often the first point of contact for visitors
  • Security personnel responsible for facility access control and threat assessment
  • HR directors developing workplace violence prevention programs
  • Supervisors and managers who must guide their teams during emergencies
  • Facilities managers responsible for building layout, exit routes, and emergency systems

Regulatory Background

While no federal OSHA standard specifically addresses active shooter preparedness, OSHA's General Duty Clause requires employers to provide workplaces free from recognized hazards. OSHA has issued guidance recommending that employers develop workplace violence prevention programs, and several states have enacted specific requirements. California's SB 553, effective July 2024, requires most employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans that include training, incident response procedures, and threat reporting systems. The FBI's 2024 report identified 223 active shooter incidents between 2020 and 2024, with commerce settings - including workplaces - among the most frequent targets. The Department of Homeland Security promotes the Run-Hide-Fight framework as the recommended response protocol. Employers who fail to address known workplace violence risks face potential General Duty Clause citations with penalties up to $16,550 per serious violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no specific federal OSHA standard mandating active shooter training. However, OSHA's General Duty Clause requires employers to address recognized workplace hazards, and OSHA has published guidance recommending workplace violence prevention programs. Some states, including California under SB 553, now require workplace violence prevention plans that include employee training. Regardless of legal mandates, training employees on emergency response is a widely recognized best practice.
Run-Hide-Fight is the response framework recommended by the Department of Homeland Security for active shooter situations. Run means evacuating the area if a safe path exists. Hide means finding a secure location, locking and barricading doors, and silencing phones if evacuation is not possible. Fight means confronting the shooter as a last resort when life is in imminent danger. The framework provides a decision hierarchy for employees to follow based on their specific circumstances.
The FBI's 2024 report found that 58% of active shooter incidents involved attackers who displayed predatory behaviors beforehand. Warning indicators include expressing direct or indirect threats of violence, an unusual interest in weapons or past attacks, increasing social isolation, significant changes in behavior or performance, and expressed hopelessness or desire for revenge. Employers should maintain a reporting system so employees can share concerns without fear of retaliation.
California was the first state to enact a broad workplace violence prevention requirement with SB 553, effective July 2024, covering most employers. Several other states have requirements specific to healthcare settings. The trend toward state-level mandates is accelerating, and employers should monitor legislation in their operating states. Federal OSHA has published voluntary guidelines but has not issued a final standard.
No. This online course provides foundational knowledge about response strategies and preparedness. Employers should supplement the training with facility-specific planning, including identification of exit routes and safe rooms, and periodic on-site drills. The most effective programs combine online education with hands-on practice in the actual work environment.

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Employers developing a comprehensive workplace safety program often pair this course with Workplace Violence Prevention training to address the full spectrum of threats and Workplace Safety Training: Crisis Management and Emergency Planning for broader emergency preparedness covering natural disasters, fires, and other critical incidents.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
per person