Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Creator - National Edition

A Workplace Violence Prevention Plan is a written guide that explains how your company will prevent and respond to violent behavior at work. It includes rules, safety steps, and training so everyone knows how to spot warning signs and stay safe. OSHA expects employers to have this plan to help keep workplaces free from harm.

A good plan includes who is responsible for safety, how to involve employees, ways to find and fix hazards, how to report and investigate incidents, and training requirements. It also covers communication, emergency procedures, and how the plan will be reviewed and updated to stay current with workplace risks.

Training should teach employees about the company’s violence prevention policy, OSHA’s rules, and the importance of reporting problems. It should cover job-specific risks, warning signs, how to avoid or calm violent situations, how to get help quickly, and how to report threats. New employees must be trained, and refresher courses should be given regularly.

Yes. Violence prevention training can be combined with harassment and civility training. This works well because civility training encourages respect and good behavior. Just make sure the violence prevention part still covers all required topics, like reporting incidents, recognizing risks, and handling emergencies.

Training should explain the plan, how to report incidents, and how to recognize risks. It should also teach ways to calm or handle conflicts, spot warning signs, get help during emergencies, and understand company rules. Employees should learn about available support resources and active shooter safety if needed. Real-life examples should be used to make training practical and engaging.

When more than one employer works at the same site, everyone should communicate clearly. Each company should share responsibilities and make sure all workers receive training. Employers should share reports and updates and agree on who will handle investigations. One person should be in charge of coordination to make sure nothing is missed or repeated.

The plan should name the people or roles in charge, such as managers, human resources, supervisors, or security staff. They handle training, risk checks, incident reviews, and updates. All employees must follow the rules, report problems, and join in training. Management must give enough support and resources to make the plan work.

Yes. The plan can be a section of your existing Injury and Illness Prevention Program or a separate document. Either way is fine as long as all required parts of the violence prevention plan are included. Many companies combine them because both focus on keeping workers safe and preventing harm.

Examples include fights or assaults between workers, threats from customers, angry or aggressive patients, verbal abuse, property damage, and violence by outsiders like robbers. It can also involve family members or people connected to employees. Workplace violence includes anything from threats to physical attacks.

There different types of workplace violence are:

• Criminal Intent: When someone with no connection to the workplace commits violence, such as during a robbery.
• Customer or Client: When a client, customer, or patient becomes violent.
• Worker-on-Worker: When current or former employees harm or threaten each other.
• Personal Relationship: When violence comes from someone’s family or partner.