1. WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PLANNING FOR YOUR OWN DISASTER
Funding and Support for this project provided by
the State of Washington, Department of Labor and Industries,
Safety and Health Investment Projects

2. OBJECTIVES Accept workplace violence can happen in any setting
Identify types of events and warning signs of violence
Use de-escalation techniques to diffuse potential violence
Train employees on “Run, Hide, Fight” for active shooter response
Create a written workplace violence policy and emergency response plan

3. IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU The Same week in 2014..
A recently-fired employee opened fire at a UPS facility in Inglenook, Alabama, on Tuesday, killing two people before taking his own life, authorities said.
In Oklahoma, another man -- also just after being laid off -- allegedly heads to his former food processing plant, beheads the first person he sees, then attacks another.
In Illinois, police say, a man walks into his air traffic control center in the early morning, starts a destructive fire, then slices his own throat.
Wed April 30, 2014 A FedEx package handler went on a shooting rampage early Tuesday at his workplace in suburban Atlanta, wounding six people before turning the gun on himself, officials said.
Sept 30, 2013 One employee was killed and another was injured at a long island business prompting a massive manhunt that ended with the body of shooter was found.
January 13, 2012 Three people were killed and a fourth was wounded in a shooting Friday at a lumber company in North Carolina, a county sheriff said. Investigators later found a man witnesses identified as the shooter in his home with a gunshot wound to the head.
On July 20, 2012, a mass shooting occurred inside of a Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, during a midnight screening of the film The Dark Knight Rises. A gunman, dressed in tactical clothing, set off tear gas grenades and shot into the audience with multiple firearms. 12 people were killed and 70 others were injured, the largest number of casualties in a shooting in the United States.[3] The sole assailant, James Eagan Holmes, was arrested in his car parked outside the cinema minutes later. It was the deadliest shooting in Colorado since the Columbine High School massacre in Prior to the shooting, Holmes rigged his apartment with homemade explosives, which were defused by a bomb squad one day after the shooting.
The Columbine High School massacre was a school shooting that occurred on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine,[2][3] an unincorporated area of Jefferson County in the state of Colorado. In addition to the shootings, the complex and highly planned attack involved a fire bomb to divert firefighters, propane tanks converted to bombs placed in the cafeteria, 99 explosive devices, and bombs rigged in cars. The perpetrators, two senior students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, murdered a total of 12 students and one teacher. They injured 21 additional people, with three others being injured while attempting to escape the school. The pair then committed suicide.[4][5]

4. TYPES OF EVENTS Type I incidents involve STRANGERS
Type II events are CUSTOMERS or PATIENTS
Type III episodes involve current or former EMPLOYEES
Type IV situations, DOMESTIC PARTNERS or FAMILY MEMBERS

6. Most Common Cause of Fatalities from Violence
STRANGER VIOLENCE
Most Common Cause of Fatalities from Violence
Motive:
Robbery or Crime
Signs stating cash register has minimal cash
Clear view of cash register from street
Drop safe or limited access safe
Silent alarms
Adequate outside lighting
Control access to worksite
Install security cameras
Provide security personnel
Devise method to alert police/security
Address employee isolation factors
Train workers in prevention

7. STRANGER VIOLENCE STRATEGIES
Signs stating cash register has minimal cash
Clear view of cash register from street
Drop safe or limited access safe
Silent alarms
Adequate outside lighting
Control access to worksite
Install security cameras
Provide security personnel
Devise method to alert police/security
Address employee isolation factors - not working alone
Train workers in prevention
Signs stating cash register has minimal cash
Clear view of cash register from street
Drop safe or limited access safe
Silent alarms
Adequate outside lighting
Control access to worksite
Install security cameras
Provide security personnel
Devise method to alert police/security
Address employee isolation factors
Train workers in prevention

8. Less Fatalities than other forms - but very common
CLIENT VIOLENCE
Most at Risk Groups:
Bus/rail/taxi drivers
Social service providers
Health care workers
Teachers
Sales personnel
Law enforcement employees
Less Fatalities than other forms - but very common
Motive:
Frustration
Most At Risk:
Bus/rail/taxi drivers
Social service providers
Health care workers
Teachers
Sales personnel
Law enforcement employees
What you Can do:
Limit employee/client isolation
Provide Panic Button/Personal Alarm
Provide security personnel
Devise method to alert police/security
Have Pre-planned Escape Routes
Eliminate Access to Weapons
Train workers in prevention

9. CLIENT VIOLENCE STRATEGIES
Limit employee/client isolation
Provide Panic Button/Personal Alarm
Provide security personnel
Devise method to alert police/security
Have Pre-planned Escape Routes
Eliminate Access to Weapons
Train workers in prevention
What you Can do:
Limit employee/client isolation
Provide Panic Button/Personal Alarm
Provide security personnel
Devise method to alert police/security
Have Pre-planned Escape Routes
Eliminate Access to Weapons
Train workers in prevention

10. Workplace Violence Prevention Training
Dave Fowler
A = Awareness
V = Vigilance
A = Avoidance
D = Defense
E = Escape/Environment
Designed for Health Care Industry - can be used in any.
A.V.A.D.E
Workplace Violence Prevention Training

11. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Lots of Media Attention
Your policy should encourage employees to report the existence of a restraining order, if the order includes prohibition of contact at the work site, which most will, so you can do a better job of insuring a safe worksite.
If someone tells you they have a restraining order, be sure and ask for a copy. You will need to call the local police if the respondent shows up at the worksite. You can ask for information on restraining orders from the local prosecutor’s office. Each jurisdiction can have slightly different rules about how they handle the orders. Keep your opinions out of the process.
If you notice disruptive behavior occurring in the workplace that appears to effect the work of the employee and/or other employees, you can confront the situation and acknowledge that work is being disrupted. Offer to help. Most people are reluctant to discuss personal issues, but if given the opportunity in a safe setting, they may confide in a trustworthy source.
Lots of Media Attention
Extremely Disruptive to employee and staff
Motive: Control

12. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STRATEGIES
Control worksite access
Encourage employees to report harassment, stalking, domestic violence, restraining orders
Enforce policies on prevention and how to handle violent confrontations
Relocate employee to safe worksite
Notify other staff as needed
Prohibit weapons
Your policy should encourage employees to report the existence of a restraining order, if the order includes prohibition of contact at the work site, which most will, so you can do a better job of insuring a safe worksite.
If someone tells you they have a restraining order, be sure and ask for a copy. You will need to call the local police if the respondent shows up at the worksite. You can ask for information on restraining orders from the local prosecutor’s office. Each jurisdiction can have slightly different rules about how they handle the orders. Keep your opinions out of the process.
If you notice disruptive behavior occurring in the workplace that appears to effect the work of the employee and/or other employees, you can confront the situation and acknowledge that work is being disrupted. Offer to help. Most people are reluctant to discuss personal issues, but if given the opportunity in a safe setting, they may confide in a trustworthy source.

13. CO-WORKER VIOLENCE Most Media Attention
Often the biggest Disaster for a Company - Physically, Emotionally, Financially
Motive: Revenge
FOCUS ON PLANNING FOR A CO-WORKER INCIDENT, WHICH COVERS MOST OF THE OTHER TYPES OF INCIDENTS.
Most At Risk:
Bus/rail/taxi drivers
Social service providers
Health care workers
Teachers
Sales personnel
Law enforcement employees
What you Can do:
Limit employee/client isolation
Provide Panic Button/Personal Alarm
Provide security personnel
Devise method to alert police/security
Have Pre-planned Escape Routes
Eliminate Access to Weapons
Train workers in prevention

14. CO-WORKER VIOLENCE STRATEGIES
Develop management policies for disciplinary actions, lay-off’s, etc
Prohibit weapons at work
Enforce a no-tolerance policy for workplace violence
Provide security personnel
Encourage employee assistance and counseling
and…….

15. “Be Nice” Hostile Workplaces are often a Company Culture -
Roanoke Virginia, August 2015
TV news reporter, cameraman are fatally shot during live broadcast in Virginia; suspected shooter posts video of attack, then kills himself (SHOCKING VIDEO)
A bitter ex-television reporter, carrying a handgun and a homicidal rage two years after his ugly firing, made himself the lead story — complete with shocking video.
Tormented journalist Vester Lee Flanagan II emptied his gun into a 24-year-old ex-colleague and her cameraman from point-blank range Wednesday as a live audience watched the double homicide over morning coffee.
Hostile Workplaces are often a Company Culture -
Not the work of an Individual

16. “People Don’t Just Snap”
“I had a gut feeling he might do something like this….”
Social Media posts
School Shootings
Behavioral Warning Signs
Hostile work environment
Almost never happens without warning.
Be vigilant to recognize, sometimes obvious, warning signs of impending violence.
Why would someone ignore a Social Media Post?
A culture that allows violent speech or threatening comments
Not taking it seriously - desensitized and then suddenly brutally resensitized
2015
SEATTLE (AP) - A teacher's warnings, social media posts and observations from students suggested something was seriously wrong with Jaylen Fryberg or at the high school in the days before he fatally shot four friends in the cafeteria, but authorities say although it's clear he planned the massacre, no one could have known it was coming.
MAY 26TH University of California, Santa Barbara that left six victims dead and 13 injured.
Before Rodger stabbed three male UCSB students in his apartment and cruised around in his black BMW firing at sorority girls and strangers, he left a trail of YouTube videos and a 140-page manifesto ranting against women and couples and lamenting his lack of a sex life.
Before the killings, Rodger's mother and counselor became alarmed about bizarre videos he posted and alerted authorities in April. But Rodger was able to convince deputies that he was not a risk to himself or others - conditions that would have allowed them to take him into custody under California law.

17. WARNING SIGNS Intuition Verbal Abuse/Threats Threatening Behavior
Physical Assault
76% of Nurses say they have experienced violence in the last year.
60% shouting or yelling
54% swearing or cursing
38% grabbing
38% kicking or scratching

18. VERBAL ABUSE
Abuse is intended to hurt the feeling or humiliate someone
“Hostile Work Environment”
Bullying
Two Edged Sword -
Bully may commit violence
Bullied may commit violence
Abuse may be intended to hurt the feelings or humiliate someone,In verbal abuse, the assailant may use profanity, and make statements which are furious, intense, distorted, meant to cause injury, and create a hostile environment.
Other examples are obscene phone calls or harassment of any nature.
while threats may create fear and cause concern for their safety.

19. THREATENING BEHAVIOR Posturing Angry Movements Exaggerated Movements
Showing weapons
TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY!
while threats may create fear and cause concern for their safety.
When someone makes actual threats; this is termed “threatening behavior” and if a pattern persists, then a formal program may be needed.
Most employers can get by with a human resource policy that addresses “bad behavior” and includes a “no violence tolerance”. This policy would address employee-on-employee violence, and gives examples of behavior that is not tolerated. This HR policy could be enough to satisfy risks that are most in most workplaces.
As an employer, it is always better to be proactive when addressing emerging hazards, rather than taking action “after” an incident occurs.

20. PHYSICAL ASSAULTS ZERO TOLERANCE to VIOLENCE - IT’S NOT FUNNY
Often the result of an escalating situation of verbal abuse of threatening behavior
Training to handle situation is necessary
As an employer, it is always better to be proactive when addressing emerging hazards, rather than taking action “after” an incident occurs.
It takes courage to handle a situation in the workplace violence progression.

21. REMEMBER: WHAT YOU DO MAKES A DIFFERENCE
FBI Study on Workplace Violence Prevention Readiness and Response
Intervention
Intervention strategies must take into account two aspects of the workplace violence spectrum: action and flash points.
An action point is the moment when an individual recognizes that an employee may be on the path toward committing some type of violent act in the workplace and subsequently takes action to prevent it.
Action points offer an opportunity for coworkers to intervene before a situation becomes dangerous.
When an action point has been identified, fellow employees can intervene in a number of ways.
First, they can talk with the person and “check in” to see if everything is all right. Allowing people to vent about stressful life situations can help them release tension.
This type of intervention should be used cautiously. If the individuals display potentially threatening behaviors of concern, vigilant coworkers should report these directly to a supervisor.
Reporting escalating verbal abuse and threatening behavior can save lives.

22. A Maryland man accused of making threats against his workplace "I am a joker. I'm going to load my guns and blow everybody up," according to local police.
The business owner called in the threat immediately with a description of the man.
When they interviewed Prescott on Thursday, he was wearing a T-shirt saying, "Guns don't kill people. I do."
He was taken into custody early Friday morning and a search of his home revealed about 25 weapons, including hand guns and assault rifles, along with 40 large steel boxes of assorted ammunition, officials said.
He was arrested on a misdeamenor and taken in for psychological evaluation.
No act of violence was ever committed.

23. THIS IS HAPPENING
Accept that you are in the progression of workplace violence when
you recognize action points.
Now our WPV plans must be instituted. You must accept this is a situation you will have to do something about. Acceptance keeps you from being paralyzed with indecision or fear.

24. OUTCOMES BASED ON RESPONSE
“If you sense something, say something.”
Trust your gut if you feel you are in an ‘event’
If possible, de-esculate the situation before it becomes an act of violence
Awareness + action = Prevention of a Disaster
Consequently, authorities emphasize that “if you sense something, say something.”
Employees generally do not want to be viewed as undermining their peers and, therefore, wait until they are certain that a situation is serious before reporting it.
If a “red flag” is raised and appropriate action taken. This is where the concepts and training we are talking about to day come into play.
awareness + action = prevention

25. TRAINING MATTERS

26. DE-ESCULATE AT THE “ACTION” POINT
Use a slow confident calm voice
Do not get upset yourself - do not argue
look at is as preventing an incident
do you want to be right or keep your company safe?
Assess your Body Language
stay open handed
Use Names (individuals and yours)
Assess Area and Space
stay at least 4’ away
How you handle this an action point situation is very important. Remember what you do makes a difference. Your words, body language, and demeanor may save lives.
Use a slow confident calm voice
Do not get upset yourself
look at preventing an incident
do you want to be right or keep your company safe?
Assess your Body Language
stay open handed
Use Names (individuals and yours)
Assess Area and Space
stay at least 4’ away
Appendix C-3
Appendix C-4

27. DE-ESCULATE THE “ACTION” POINT
Don’t Touch the Upset Person
Break Eye Contact at Times
Use Attentive Listening - Express Your Intention to Help
Do Not make Promises
Clarify Communications
Ask for Specific Responses
Redirect their Thoughts
Environment to somewhere safer for you
Buy time for your Emergency Plan to Activate
Don’t Touch the Upset Person
Break Eye Contact at Times - Don’t get into a stare down
Use Attentive Listening - ask questions “what specifically do you want to happen today?”
Do Not make Promises you cannot keep
Clarify Communications -
Ask for Specific Responses
Express Your Intention to Help
Redirect their Thoughts & Environment to somewhere safer for you and everyone else - “can we move this conversation outside?”
Buy time for your Emergency Plan to Activate - which means you need an emergency plan!

28. FLASH POINT
If de-esculation doesn’t work or the person comes in acting violently
Once shots are fired, ‘talking them down’ is not an option
Most situations last less than 10 minutes and end with the death of the shooter
Employees must be trained to Run, Hide, Fight
The next stop in the progression of workplace violence is a “flash point,” the moment when workplace violence occurs, is too late for any type of preventive strategy.
You must teach employees one of the three things that can help them in an active shooter incident. Run, Hide, Fight.

29.
RUN, HIDE, FIGHT VIDEO

30. SURVIVAL MINDSET

31. STOP A DISASTER Shoe Bomber Paris Train Seattle University Shooting
The 2001 shoe bomb plot was a failed bombing attempt that occurred on December 22, 2001, on American Airlines Flight with 197 passengers and crew aboard, was flying from Paris, France, to Miami.
The perpetrator, Richard Reid, was subdued by passengers after unsuccessfully attempting to detonate plastic explosives concealed within his shoes.
Aug 22, 2015
Three American friends traveling together and a British passenger had not tackled, beaten and tied up the suspect, authorities said. Heroes pictured from left to right: Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler who disarmed the gunman on a train at Arras, France. The terrorist was beaten unconscious by the US servicemen and a British man after he opened fire on a Paris-bound train
Read more:
A Kalashnikov assault weapon with nine magazines of ammunition, a Luger automatic pistol with extra ammo and a box cutter were carried by the man who attempted to attack a packed high-speed passenger train.
JUN Hero Student From Seattle University Shooting: 'I Am Overwhelmed’
Jon Meis, a student building monitor, pepper-sprayed alleged gunman Aaron Ybarra during Thursday's assault on the campus of Seattle Pacific University. A 19-year-old student was shot dead and three others wounded.
"(W)hat I find most difficult about this situation is the devastating reality that a hero cannot come without tragedy," wrote Meis. "In the midst of this attention, we cannot ignore that a life was taken from us, ruthlessly and without justification or cause. Others were badly injured, and many more will carry this event with them the rest of their lives.

32. MAKE A PLAN

33. OBJECTIVES Accept workplace violence can happen in any setting
Identify types of events and warning signs of violence
Use de-escalation techniques to diffuse potential violence
Train employees on “Run, Hide, Fight” for active shooter response
Create a written workplace violence policy and emergency response plan

34. WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM
SAMPLE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROGRAM
APPENDIX A

35. ALL HAZARDS PLANNING
NICASAFETY.COM

36. CONCLUSION ACCEPT IT CAN HAPPEN
BE NICE - BUILD A WORKPLACE VIOLENCE RESISTANCE CULTURE
DE-ESCLATE
RUN, HIDE, FIGHT
PUT ON CALENDAR A SAFETY MEETING ON YOUR COMPANY PLAN

37. Workplace Violence Prevention Readiness and Response By Stephen J
Workplace Violence Prevention Readiness and Response By Stephen J. Romano, M.A.; Micòl E. Levi-Minzi, M.A., M.S.; Eugene A. Rugala; and Vincent B. Van Hasselt, Ph.D.
Workplace violence: Know the numbers, risk factors and possible warning signs By Greg Botelho, CNN
Combating Workplace Violence, Guidelines for Employers and Law Enforcement- The International Association of Chiefs of Police e.pdf
AVADE Workplace Violence Prevention Training