Workplace Violence Risk Mitigation And Response

All too often we wake up to news of another shooting or act of violence at a place of business. Sadly, it’s become so common that most are no longer shocked when they hear about these incidents, almost as if we have become immune to it. Unless, of course, it happens in your workplace. Then it’s all too real.

In this month’s Superior Protection Professionals Safety and Security column, President Kelly Conklin will discuss how to protect against and respond to workplace violence.

What are the various types of workplace violence that exist and how can we reduce the risk of them?

Kelly: First, let’s properly define workplace violence and the different types.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) defines workplace violence as “Any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the worksite.”

Of course this covers a very broad spectrum of violence. It can be anything ranging from harassment all the way to a shooting.

The FBI actually breaks it down into 4 different categories:

1.) Violent acts by criminals that have no connection to the workplace but enter to commit a crime.
2.) Violence directed at employees by people that do have a connection to that workplace (ie., customers, inmates, clients, etc.)
3.) Employee on employee violence
4.) Domestic violence type incidents committed by someone who does not work there but commits an act of violence on an employee.

In fact, in 2014 the Bureau of Labor Statistics said there were 403 workplace homicides!

And in addition, every year almost 2 million American workers report they have been victims of some sort of workplace violence.

What are some ways to protect yourself from workplace violence, and if necessary, be prepared to respond?

Kelly: First, the employer MUST have a zero tolerance policy towards any type of threats or violence whatsoever. They must establish a strong anti-violence anti-bullying policy and make all employees aware of it and sign off on it.

Second, they need to make sure their facility is secured and only allow entry to those who are supposed to be there.

Surveillance cameras are also a good deterrent but honestly won’t stop a shooter on a mission, but rather just record the incident (which doesn’t stop the senseless deaths).

Now, unfortunately, that’s not going to stop the extremely violent, goal-oriented actors. By this I mean shooters.

Too often, we are hearing of shootings in the workplace. The reason I started Superior Protection Professionals was to help protect people, and give them peace of mind. Workers should be able to work in an environment FREE OF FEAR. Students should be able to study in an environment FREE OF FEAR. People should be able to practice their religion in an environment FREE OF FEAR.

So, the only thing that can prevent ALL levels of senseless violence is having a highly trained, highly qualified, and highly capable ARMED guard on premises to protect innocent lives. That’s why our guards are all retired law enforcement officers. Actually, a big part of our business is “high risk termination” assignments. That is when a business is going to fire someone they think may give them a problem they bring us in during the termination process in the event there is a problem, and typically keep us on site for 3-5 days afterwards to give everyone at the workplace a peace of mind. Unfortunately retaliation by disgruntled ex-employees is common these days.

Do you think the acts of violence that are prevalent today will ever improve in the future?

Kelly: Unfortunately, no. In addition to the increase in drug use, social media certainly isn’t helping. It’s radicalizing people and giving them crazy ideas.
I had one potential client say to me, “I don’t need security, I’m old school.” Well, that left me speechless. Bad guys aren’t old school and don’t care what “school” you are from. They just want to inflict harm.This mindset is dangerous.

What is an example of a violent scenario in the workplace? What advice would you give to people in order to stay alive?

Kelly: Let’s assume the worst. Let’s assume a shooter enters a workplace. In this scenario, start with RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.
1.) Run: If you are in any facility and you hear gunshots (you will know them when you hear them) you find the closest exit, in the opposite direction of where the shots are coming from, and run as fast and far as you can.
2.) Hide: If you are in an area where you can’t run, then find a room and “Lock Down.” Get inside and lock the door and barricade it. There you will remain until you see someone who clearly identifies themself as a police officer and let’s you know it’s now safe.
3.) Fight: Let’s assume you couldn’t run. And if you hide the shooter enters the location you are hiding in. You have 2 options. 1. lay there and be a passive victim (not the way I want to go), or 2. fight like your life depends on it, because it DOES! Now, whatever your capabilities, you have to do SOMETHING, anything other then just lay there. If that means throw something at the assailant, hit him/her with something, anything, just do something. We will get into self defense tactics in another column.

That concludes my first Safety and Security column. I hope it’s been informative and I look forward to the next. Thank you.

So, now, in summary, there are varying degrees of workplace violence and most can be handled by company policy with strict adherence. The highest level, shooter (or edged weapon), is best repelled (neutralized) by the presence of an armed guard. (The latest example of that was that shooting in the church in Texas. That armed parishioner prevented countless deaths. Had he not been armed the results would have been even more horrific.)

How can readers who have questions and concerns on safety or security issues reach out to you?

Kelly: If you have any safety or security questions for Superior Protection Professionals please feel free to email me at superiorprotection209@gmail.com and I will do my best to reply as quickly as possible and may even answer it in my next column. For business inquiries please email kpconklin209@gmail.com or call 908-783-1939.

About Superior Protection Professionals:
SPP was born out of an innate passion for protecting the good, innocent people from the harm we all have been hearing so much about these days. SPP, a fully licensed, insured and bonded LLC., employs retired police officers and NJ state troopers that are all highly trained, highly skilled, and highly capable professionals that share the same passion I have for protecting people and property. We all take pride in what we do and have strong integrity. These are the guards any school, place of worship, retail location, office building, or anywhere persons or property need to be protected wants to keep them safe. We are different from other armed security agencies in that we ALL take pride in what we do, how we look, how we act, and again, our innate passion for protecting the good people.

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local sponsor. The views expressed in this post are the author's own.

For more about Community Partner, click here.