Workplace Violence- How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) each year two million Americans are victims of workplace violence. The vast majority are women who suffer the greatest effects from the physical and emotional pain. Government projections suggest less than half all incidents are reported.

While the media tends to report on the most the most spectacular events Human Resource Departments know what “going postal” means and routinely post hot lists of individuals who have been identified as capable of committing violent acts in the workplace. Corporate guidelines typically suggest ways to report potentially violent individuals some even offer a few suggestions on how to go about calming an agitated worker. What is often absent from these guidelines are suggested action steps employees should take if someone is committing acts of destruction, violence or injuring fellow employees.

Here are few suggestions that you may want to consider:

· Know how to recognize the warning signs that proceed violence
· Increase your level of awareness of your environment and of the people working in it
· Know how to evaluate the work environment for escape routes, hiding places and more
· Build a mental “experience library” so you can operate strategically when disaster strikes
· Know in advance what you will do should violence erupt
· Know what simple techniques can save lives including your own
· Know how to disarm an attacker carrying a weapon
· Learn how to turn everyday office items into self defense tools
· Know how to use predator fear to your advantage
· Learn how to deescalate situations how to use distractions
· Learn what not to say

In summary: The media often reports that the incident of violence “erupted out of nowhere and with no warning”. In almost every case simple preventative steps could have detected and eliminated the threat .
It is possible to survive an encounter but to do so you must make a decision not to become the next victim when violence suddenly.
To learn more about our preventing and reacting to workplace violence seminars call IM-SAFE at 860-651-4911 or e-mail us at info@im-safe.com