Workplace violence causes a significant number of deaths and injuries in Washington and throughout the country. In 2010, workplace violence was the third leading cause of workplace deaths in Washington State. Workplace violence can include physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior at the work site. 

Some factors can increase the risk of workplace violence, including:

• Exchanging money with the public.
• Working with volatile or unstable people.
• Working alone or in isolated areas.
• Providing services and care.
• Working where alcohol is served.
• Working late at night or in areas with high crime rates. 

In addition, some workers such as delivery drivers, healthcare professionals, public service workers, customer service agents, and law enforcement personnel, have a higher risk than others of experiencing workplace violence.

For some employers, there are specific rules regarding workplace violence prevention, including those in the healthcare industry or employers who operate late night retail establishments.

But all employers must develop an Accident Prevention Program, which includes evaluating hazards at work. When a hazard evaluation indicates employees are at risk for violence in the workplace, your Accident Prevention Program must include a plan that outlines measures to reduce this risk, such as training workers on de-escalation techniques, installing adequate lighting in parking lots, and providing drop safes.  Some workplaces must also determine if personal protective equipment is needed, for example, body armor for some law enforcement personnel, and address this as well.

General Rules

• Accident Prevention Program WAC 296-800-140
• Employer Responsibilities: Safe Workplace WAC 296-800-110
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) WAC 296-800-160

Rules for Specific Workplaces and Activities

• Late Night Retail Workers Crime Prevention WAC 296-832
• Workplace Violence Prevention Law: Health Care Settings RCW 49.19
• Violence Prevention in State Psychiatric Hospitals RCW 72.23.400

Policies

• Violence in the Workplace: WRD 5.05
• Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care: WRD 5.07

Fatality Bulletins

• Deaths related to workplace violence climbed in 2009 (L&I News release)
• Youth Restaurant Cashier Shot to Death During Attempted Robbery (WI NIOSH Fatality Report)
• Service Technician Working Alone Dies after being Assaulted (FACE Fatality Report)

Hazard Alerts

• Crowd Control Resources for Big Retail Sales Events
• Retail workers face risk of violence (WorkSafeBC Hazard Alert)
• Chasing shoplifter results in injury (WorkSafeBC Hazard Alert)
• Young worker injured while pursuing shoplifter (WorkSafeBC Hazard Alert)

Training

• Workplace Violence Prevention-Module 1 (On-line training)
• Workplace Violence Prevention-Module 2 (On-line training)
• Working Alone Safely (On-line training)
• Robberies and Abusive Customers: Tips for Preventing Injuries (Tip sheet, poster)
• Workplace Violence (WorkSafe BC.  Training module)
• Developing a Violence Prevention Program (Oregon OSHA online course)
• 6-minute safety talk for hair stylists: Young Workers: WorkSafe BC publication
• Workplace Violence Prevention:  Health Care and Social Service Workers (OSHA Slide Presentation)
• Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments (OSHA Slide Presentation)

DVDs and Videos

• Violence on the job (NIOSH videos)
• 4 Warning Signs to Prevent Workplace Violence Fox 35 Janie Lacy: (You-tube Video)
• Preventing Workplace Violence (WorkSafe BC Video)
• Workplace Violence: The Calm Before The Storm
• Workplace Violence Videos (Search results by subject)
• Safety for Retailers: How to Prevent Violence(WorkSafe BC Video)
• Is it worth your life?

Other Resources

• Workplace Violence: Awareness and Prevention for Employers and Employees
• Workplace Violence (SHARP Topic page)
• Homicides of Workers in Washington State, 1998-2006 (SHARP Fatality Report)
• Workplace Violence (OSHA Topic page)
• Workplace Violence / La Violencia en el Lugar de Trabajo  (OSHA Fact Sheet)
• Keeping Your Workplace Safe for Small Business Employers (OSHA)
• Workplace Violence Prevention Strategies and Research Needs (NIOSH)
• Workplace Violence: Issues in Response (U.S. Department of Justice)
• Workplace Violence in Health Care Settings
• Prevent Workplace Violence in Psychiatric Settings:  SHARP publication
• Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care & Social Service Workers (OSHA)
• Violence: Occupational Hazards in Hospitals (NIOSH)
• Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs: Late-night Retail (OSHA)
• Preventing Violence, Robbery, and Theft: A Guide for Retail Owners, Managers, and Workers (WorkSafeBC)
• Preventing Violence Against Taxi and For-Hire Drivers (OSHA Fact Sheet)

Related Topics

• Personal Protective Equipment topic page
• Workplace Bullying and Disruptive Behavior: SHARP publication 
• Accident Prevention Program
• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) Overview (On-line training covering traumatic workplace events, including workplace violence incidents)