Workplace Violence

Course Overview

Workplace violence remains one of the most serious occupational hazards in the United States. In 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 470 workplace homicides and 263 workplace suicides - accounting for 733 fatalities from violent acts on the job. This means roughly one workplace homicide occurs every 19 hours. Beyond fatalities, the BLS documented over 57,600 nonfatal workplace violence incidents requiring days away from work, restriction, or transfer over the 2021-2022 period. OSHA's General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm, and the agency has identified workplace violence as a recognized hazard in numerous enforcement actions.

This course prepares your employees to identify the warning signs of potential violence, understand the four categories of workplace violence, and take appropriate protective action. The curriculum covers OSHA's expectations for employer violence prevention programs, engineering controls such as security systems and surveillance, administrative controls including policies and reporting procedures, and cultural controls that promote respect and open communication. Your employees learn their role in creating a safe work environment, how to de-escalate volatile situations, and the reporting channels available when threats or incidents occur.

What You'll Learn

• The definition of workplace violence under OSHA guidance, including physical violence, harassment, intimidation, and threats
• The four categories of workplace violence: criminal intent, customer/client, worker-on-worker, and personal relationship
• Industries and occupations with elevated workplace violence risk, including healthcare, retail, and social services
• Warning signs and risk factors that may precede violent incidents, and how to recognize them without unfair profiling
• Engineering controls such as security cameras, access control systems, and protective barriers
• Administrative controls including violence prevention policies, incident reporting procedures, and emergency action plans
• Cultural controls that promote respect, communication, and early intervention
• Employee and employer roles and responsibilities for preventing and responding to violence

Who Needs This Training

• All employees as part of a comprehensive workplace safety program, particularly in high-risk industries
• Healthcare workers, social service employees, and late-night retail staff who face elevated violence risk
• Supervisors and managers responsible for implementing violence prevention plans and responding to incidents
• HR professionals who develop workplace violence prevention policies and threat assessment procedures
• Security personnel and facility managers who oversee physical access controls and emergency response protocols
• Delivery drivers, field service workers, and other employees who work alone or in remote locations

Regulatory Background