Category: Emergency Preparedness and Response

No one wants it to happen, but an emergency, natural or manmade, can strike at anytime, 24/7. What’s more, it need not be a major, nationally-televised incident, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or act of political terror. An event as common as a local building fire can present just as large a challenge to you. These resources will help you create a plan for handling such crises, whatever their scope, and to carry it out in a way that best protects your employees and your company.

Stop Violence

How Well Do You Understand the Links Between Workplace Violence and Substance Abuse?

Do you prefer to read rather than listen? If so, you won’t miss out on our latest episode of EHS on Tap! Read the transcript of our recent conversation with Patrick Prince, associate vice provost and chief threat assessment officer for the University of Southern California, on the intersection of workplace violence and substance abuse. […]

Workplace Violence Prevention: Plain Talk and No Emotion are Key to Communication

Most organizations have some form of workplace violence prevention plan in place. However, that is only the first step. EHS, security, or HR personnel may not know how to effectively communicate this plan to employees, or how to appropriately communicate that an actual incident is in progress. According to 2019 Workplace Violence Prevention Symposium keynote […]

Violence and substance abuse

EHS on Tap: E40 Understanding the Links between Workplace Violence and Substance Abuse

The threat from workplace violence is very real, and employers simply can’t afford to ignore it. Hopefully you already have a workplace violence prevention program in place, and if not, you’re steadily working toward implementing one. The issue is multifaceted, touching upon everything from active shooters to coworker conflict to domestic violence spillover. Our guest […]

workplace violence

The Costs of Ignoring Workplace Violence

According to OSHA, nearly 2 million American workers report that they are victims of workplace violence each year. Unfortunately, even more instances of violence go unreported at organizations each year. Why? Because of a lack of preventive measures, policies, or mandated workplace violence training programs. And the costs are potentially huge.

Bill to Protect Healthcare Workers Introduced by Connecticut Rep

In mid-November 2018, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) introduced legislation that would set a deadline for OSHA to issue the first national standard requiring that healthcare and social service employers develop and implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce; the legislation has 22 […]

Power outage, storm, natural disaster

How Prepared Is Your Workforce for a Natural or Environmental Disaster?

In 2017, there were 10,000 deaths caused by natural disasters worldwide. And a lot of those occurred while people were on the job. In addition, research shows that the number of recorded natural disasters has increased quite a bit in the past century. So, it’s still critical, perhaps now more than ever, that we’re well-prepared […]

All the Pieces of the Elephant: The Importance of Speaking Up to Prevent Mass Shooters

Remember the parable of the blind men and the elephant? Each man forms an incorrect conclusion about what the elephant is like, based on limited information. The man touching the elephant’s tail concludes that an elephant is like a rope. The man touching its tusk believed that the elephant was more like a spear. The […]