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:
Each and every employee and community member deserves to feel safe. OSHA requires it, labeling it as an organization’s responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Tragically, with a growing number of active assailant incidents happening all around the country, this threat is more relevant than ever before. Over a two-year span, 26 states experienced 40 active assailant incidents, resulting in more than 230 casualties.
It is essential to anticipate this debilitating threat and to put proactive and preventative measures in place. Including an ‘Active Assailant Incident’ component in your risk management program is fast becoming a cornerstone issue. There are measures that can make a difference and can save lives.
Our latest infographic breaks down this unlikely but devastating problem, including some insight into an assailant and a typical incident, and what to do to predict, prevent, and respond if a shooting occurs. … Continue reading
Violence in the workplace undeniably affects the individuals who are directly attacked. But the impact also extends far beyond these direct victims to co-workers, clients, executives, shareholders and even out to the community. There are direct losses related to medical bills, workers’ comp and legal fees, as well as indirect losses reflected in diminished productivity, low morale and negative publicity – all of which can damage a company’s reputation long-term. The impact is extensive and can carry a tremendous cost.
“It is not just the victims, who are injured… the workplace also pays a price with disengaged performance and increased health risks… It is imperative, to the business bottom-line, that employees are protected…” — The Roadmap to Mental Health and Excellence at Work, 2005
Prevention is key.
Learn about what constitutes workplace violence, who is at the greatest risk, and what can be done to proactively predict, prevent, and quickly recover from incidents in our latest infographic.
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.
