September Chapter Meeting – Workplace Violence: Assessing the Threats/Active Shooter

Topic: Workplace Violence – Assessing the Threats / Active Shooter

Nearly 2 million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence each year. Unfortunately, many more cases go unreported. Research has identified factors that may increase the risk of violence for some workers at certain worksites. Such factors include exchanging money with the public and working with volatile, unstable people. Working alone or in isolated areas may also contribute to the potential for violence. Providing services and care, and working where alcohol is served may also impact the likelihood of violence. Additionally, time of day and location of work, such as working late at night or in areas with high crime rates, are also risk factors that should be considered when addressing issues of workplace violence.

Straight from the Department of Labor’s website under workplace violence section.…”Workers have a right to a safe workplace. The law requires employers to provide their employees with safe and healthful workplaces. The OSHA law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the law (including the right to raise a health and safety concern or report an injury).”

So you might say that workplace violence & security concerns are safety compliance concerns in the eyes of OSHA. We’ll discuss what are the most common workplace violence situations you might encounter, how to assess the threats and how to prepare your team and facilities for one of these types of workplace emergencies. In addition, we’ll talk about a specific threat of an active shooter or an armed intruder threatening your people and business.

Introduction – Personal background in safety and security

Outline potential employee safety / security threats and violent situations in the workplace

• Armed Intruder / Active Shooter preparedness
  • Dept Homeland Security: Run – Hide – Fight
  • Outline training and preparedness program
• Employee Threat Assessments: Internal & External
  • Process for identify – evaluate – develop a plan
  • On and off the job personal safety / security for employees

Summary / Conclusion

Speaker: Andrew Wilson

Andrew Wilson will be our presenter with over 30 years of experience in environment, health, safety & security (EHS&S) starting his risk control (security) career in Atlanta in 1983. He was a licensed Private Detective in the state of Georgia from 1984 to 1991, licensed polygraph examiner from 1984 to 1988, and taught on staff at Dekalb Technical College the state’s Private Detective training course for three years. He has been employed in Corporate EHS&S roles with Home Depot, Duke Realty and Acuity Brands Lighting. His professional consulting career totals over 15 years with 8 years on staff with Det Norske Veritas (DNV).   Andrew has completed over 750 client sites assessments for EHSS regulatory compliance & management systems, some including standards such as ISO 9000, 14000, OHSAS 18000, ANSI Z10, VPP, I2P2, and DNV’s International Safety Rating System. Andrew has worked in 21 countries and logged over 3 million air miles in his business career.

He holds a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice / Business from Saginaw Valley State University and an MBA from Georgia State University with a focus on international business.   Andrew is a past president of the Georgia ASSE Chapter and been active on the board for the last ten years. He has recently served as committee chairman for the National ASSE education committee. Away from work, Andrew has coached over 50 youth sports teams for his children and friends in the area. Andrew and his family live in Marietta, GA.