On Monday, a Montgomery County, Maryland landscaping employee threatened co-workers with a shotgun and barricaded himself within building materials, according to WTOP, or Washington’s Top News. After a four-hour standoff with police, the disgruntled employee died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No one else was injured during the incident.
This and the thousands of other instances of violence at the job serves as a reminder to review or implement a safety plan that incorporates workplace violence issues.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has resources so that owners, management and employees work in a safe environment. According to OSHA, small-group and community work are especially prone to workplace violence.
If your company currently doesn’t have anti-violence policies in place, here are some tips and guidelines.
- Create a zero-tolerance policy for workplace safety. Log and investigate any incidents, including reports of intimidation or threats.
- Educate your employees on how to maintain personal safety and what to do if they see or witness an incident.
- Consider increasing security around company property, such as surveillance cameras, extra lighting or ID-protected entrances.
- Enforce a buddy system out in the field to ensure no one works alone and especially after hours.
- Stay on top of trends within your company and other industries about workplace violence and discuss with your team.
- If a violent incident occurs, debrief your team and offer post-traumatic stress counseling for everyone.
- Check out the U.S. Department of Labor’s policy for federal workers.
