The healthcare security practitioner is confronted by an alarming level of violence from a wide range of threats. Many people do not understand that healthcare and social service workers are victims of violent attacks at many times the rate of other private sector workers. OSHA bulletin 3148-06R reports some Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on the issue:
Between 2011 and 2013, workplace assaults ranged from 23,540 to 25,630 annually.
70% to 74% of these assaults occurred in healthcare and social service settings.
For healthcare workers, assaults were 10-11% of injuries causing days off work, compared with just 3% of injuries to all private sector employees.
The likelihood of an active assailant situation is now recognized by the US Government (OSHA, FBI, Homeland Security) to be an event that is “More Likely Than Not” to occur, especially in high risk industries.
The very idea of an active shooter incident is unsettling. Yet the way to feel the safest and the most confident about a positive outcome (prevention or safe management/resolution) is to look at the possibility head-on and prepare as thoroughly as possible. Understanding the risk factors, putting measures in place and rehearsing for various scenarios are the best practices to mitigate loss, including the possibility of loss of life. In even more simple terms, there are three clear steps to take in response to an active shooter incident: RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.
Our latest SlideShare summarizes many aspects of an active assailant incident, including which industries are most at risk, what motivates a perpetrator, and what best practices to implement to protect your organization.
Take your own first step today – view the slideshow here:
Does it seem like the unthinkable news about another shooter trying to murder as many innocent people as possible has become almost routine? If it feels this way to you, there’s a reason. The number of “active shooter” incidents—cases where one or more assailants kill or attempt to kill people in a populated area—counted by the FBI has increased dramatically since 2000.
In 2000, there was 1 active shooter incident recorded. There were 20 incidents in both 2014 and 2015. In all, there have been 200 active shooter incidents since 2000 somewhere in America.
Some people react to these incidents as if they were “black swan” events, that is, unexpected or surprising events that are impossible to predict. But as these data show, they are rare but they are not accidental nor should they be surprising any more. An active shooter may attack in virtually any location at any time people are present.
This is not a swan, it is a known risk, and risks can be mitigated.
Sadly, the number of active assailant incidents continues to increase, with 40 incidents in 26 states over the past two years. It is more important than ever to consider the risk for your organization, institution or business.
OSHA requires companies to maintain a workplace safe from violence under the General Duty clause. One way to prevent or mitigate a potential loss is to be prepared.
With a thorough understanding, some preventative measures, and some rehearsing, your organization can apply this best practice of preparedness to be better able to effectively predict, prevent, and respond to an active shooter situation on your premises.
Knowledge is power. This is not something to avoid out of fear. With our latest SlideShare presentation you can learn more about the incidents and the perpetrators as well as the steps to being as prepared as possible.
Let us promote safety together. Take action today by reviewing the presentation here:
Low-probability, high-impact events are something that most individuals and organizations would rather ignore. After all, chances are it won’t happen to you. Serious workplace violence events, active shooter incidents, and other unsavory threats are on the rise but it’s easier to assume it will happen to someone else. We don’t want to think about our own mortality or that of our organizations. Instead, we hope it won’t happen to us, to our employees, to our customers, or to our communities.
