12 best practices for developing a workplace violence prevention plan

Lexy Hughes Date published: Sep 04, 24

Creating an effective workplace violence prevention plan requires a strategic and comprehensive approach. To help EHS professionals foster safer work environments, we've compiled 12 best practices for developing a robust prevention plan. Rooted in expertise and industry standards, these practices provide a clear roadmap for organizations to mitigate risks and enhance employee security. Each practice is integral to preventing workplace violence, ensuring both proactive measures and responsive strategies are implemented and maintained.

1. Understanding the regulatory landscape

EHS professionals must stay current on legislative requirements for their specific industries and locations. Attending workshops and keeping up with industry publications are effective ways to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

2. Developing a tailored prevention strategy

A "one size fits all" approach isn't effective in preventing workplace violence. Develop unique strategies through thorough risk assessments, engaging stakeholders and ongoing initiatives to address distinctive risk factors.

3. Conducting regular risk assessments

Regular, detailed risk assessments help identify potential sources of violence, assess the associated risks and understand their possible impact on the organization.

4. Promoting stakeholder engagement

Actively involving stakeholders from all organizational levels by continuously collecting internal feedback to ensure diverse perspectives are considered and increases support for the initiatives.

5. Implementing ongoing training initiatives

Regular, customized training sessions help employees recognize warning signs, respond appropriately during incidents and support affected peers.

6. Leveraging technology for incident management

Utilize technological advancements like incident tracking systems and predictive analytics to manage workplace violence incidents effectively.

7. Ensuring continuous improvement

Commit to improvement by updating strategies with new information, technological advancements and evolving best practices. Be certain to take advantage of your safety committee meetings for inputs and collect consensus.

8. Establishing a multidisciplinary team

Include representatives from various departments, such as HR and legal, to bring unique expertise and perspectives to the prevention strategy.

9. Developing comprehensive policies and procedures

Clear, well-documented policies form the foundation of a prevention plan. They should cover the organization's commitment to preventing workplace violence, define violence and detail reporting and response procedures.

10. Fostering a supportive workplace culture

Promote open communication and ensure all reports of violence are taken seriously. Encourage mental wellbeing and resilience among staff.

11. Utilizing technology and data analytics

Leverage tech tools and data analytics to document and analyze violence-related data. Regularly review and adjust strategies based on insights.

12. Ensuring ongoing communication and review

Continuous communication and regular review are necessary for an effective prevention plan. Conduct periodic meetings with the team to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and solicit feedback from employees.

By implementing these best practices, organizations can create a safer workplace environment and significantly reduce the risk of workplace violence.

Proactive workplace violence prevention is essential for safeguarding employees' wellbeing and maintaining a secure work environment. EHS professionals have a pivotal role in developing and implementing effective prevention plans, and utilizing advanced technologies can significantly enhance these efforts. We invite you to explore Ideagen's comprehensive range of workplace violence prevention solutions, including innovative apps designed to help your organization comply with the newly implemented CAL/OSHA Workplace Violence Prevention law.

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