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Close to 2 million Americans are subjected to violence while at work or on duty every year. Numbers released by the Bureau of Justice & Statistics show that for the years 1993 to 1999 the reported incidences of work related violence averaged about 1.7 million per year. Statistics compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries) show

• From 1992 to 2006, there were 800 homicides per year as a result of violent incidences in the workplace.
• Homicide ranks as the fourth leading cause of occupational death in the U.S.
• In the years 1980 to 1989, homicide ranked as the 3rd leading factor for occupational death in America.
• The leading cause of death in 1992 was homicide.
• 20 workers are murdered in the US in any given week.
• For female workers homicide has been the number one cause of occupational death 1980.
• One out of four workers in America will be attacked, threatened, or harassed at work in the course of their working career.

In this recession, some experts are warning that we may experience a spike in the number of workplace violence incidences. Stress arising from the loss of a job and worry about the future can push an individual over the edge into taking violent action.

The concern over the increase in violence is substantiated by recent tragic incidences like the bus mechanic in San Diego who killed two co-workers and the unemployed man in upstate New York who shot and killed twelve individuals. Experts also worry that news coverage of these and similar stories may in itself trigger additional so called “copycat” violence.

It will be months, if not years, before we will know for certain whether there was an increase in the rate of violent incidents. Even so, it is probably a good idea for businesses to take some action today.

NIOSH guidelines recommend that all organizations provide workplace violence training to their employees. OSHA does not have specific requirements or standards for workplace violence; however, the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Act calls for employers to provide a place of employment free from recognized dangers that can cause death or serious harm to employees.

State and federal laws impose further legal obligations on companies. Under civil rights laws employers are required to protect employees from harassment and threats, including violence. Provisions of the workers compensation law allow employees to hold employers responsible for job related injuries. Following an occurrence of workplace violence, companies can also be subject to civil liability lawsuits based on grounds of negligence in hiring, inadequate supervision, training, or other safety measures.

Due to the potentially high cost associated with workplace violence, a occupational violence training program is a sound investment. If your company does not have a workplace violence prevention program, you should strongly consider putting one in place. A variety of workplace violence training materials are readily available and they are quite affordable.

NIOSH has identified that awareness training is one of the most critical elements of a violence prevention program. Although precise requirements will vary from business to business, for the majority of companies such a program need not be complex.