Workplace Violence: Understanding OSHA Obligations and Best Strategies for Prevention

As media outlets have reported, there has been a significant increase in workplace violence incidents in the country and across numerous industries. Some recent examples include physical attacks against flight attendants, school shootings, snatch-and-grab robberies in retail, and now targeted violence against pro-life institutions. Security concerns for employees have resulted in several national retailers closing stores and reducing hours. This webinar will address an employer’s obligation under OSHA’s general duty clause to protect employees against workplace violence and review current OSHA guidance in several industries such as health care and retail and potential rulemaking proposed by OSHA to address these issues. In addition, the webinar will discuss strategies for prevention and the need to implement a workplace violence prevention program with zero tolerance toward such violence of any kind. The webinar will also review best practices to de-escalate a violent situation, including how to respond to an active assailant scenario.