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.
• Violence Prevention in State Psychiatric Hospitals RCW 72.23.400.
• Workplace Violence Prevention Law: Health Care Settings RCW 49.19.

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).
• Service Technician Working Alone Dies after being Assaulted (FACE Fatality Report).
• Youth Restaurant Cashier Shot to Death During Attempted Robbery (WI NIOSH Fatality Report).

Hazard Alerts

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

Training

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

DVDs and Videos

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

Other Resources

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

Related Topics

• Accident Prevention Program.
• Personal Protective Equipment.