Let’s talk about something quite serious: active shooter training. Yes, you heard right. It’s an essential precaution for employees today. They learn how to recognize signs of possible violence in their work environment through this training. But it goes beyond just recognizing; it prepares them for action during an active shooter scenario.

Let’s peek at some chilling stats. Between 2000 and 2018, there were 277 incidents recorded by our FBI of active shooters within the U.S borders. Where did they mainly occur? Commerce and education sectors bore the brunt with a combined total of 65%.

Fast forward to 2021, and we see a grim picture – 61 individual reports in a single year! That’s a heart-wrenching increase of 50% from the previous year! With such a high prevalence of gun violence in America, isn’t it wise to include active shooter training as part of corporate risk management strategies? Isn’t it just common sense to make it integral to workplace safety plans?

“But do I really need to provide this sort of training?” I hear you ask. Well, according to OSHA’s General Duty Clause, your employer is required by law to ensure your workplace is safe from harm. And yes, that includes protection against extreme acts like shooting sprees.

But then again, not everything is black and white. Some areas allow employers more leeway than others. If you’re not working in healthcare or social services, your boss has discretion over how safety at work is ensured. OSHA doesn’t necessarily require violence prevention training explicitly – especially not concerning active shooters.

Federal laws are pretty tight-lipped on what topics should be covered in these trainings too.

However, some states do enforce stricter regulations – take New York as an example! Any public employer there must create and implement a program aimed at curbing workplace violence.

Regardless of where companies are geographically or which industry they belong to, they should consider including active shooter preparation in their broader schemes against workforce violence. By doing so, they’re fulfilling their fundamental duty: keeping us employees safe!

How to prepare your business for an active shooter

Ready to equip your business for an active shooter scenario? I’ve got some steps to guide you along. But first, it’s vital we discuss something important: the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

Now, the EAP isn’t just about preparing for floods or fires. It’s a great base for formulating plans for an active shooter situation too. Once you have that sorted, here are other measures you can take to ready your workplace:

1. First things first – solid policies! Ensure they’re crisp and clear.
2. Next up, employee education! Teach them how to spot signs of potential violence in the workplace.
3. Then comes reporting structures; make sure everyone knows how and where to report disturbing incidents or worries.
4. Got those done? Great! Now work on setting up an emergency response team within your office.
5. The next step is reaching out beyond your four walls – collaboration with external organizations and resources can provide valuable support.
6. Don’t forget to polish up the emergency response plan specifically tailored for active shooter situations.
7. Lastly, consider this: Are active shooter drills necessary in your context? If so, it’s time to start planning some!

These pointers can go a long way in shaping your business for such a harrowing eventuality – let’s hope you’ll never need to use them! Remember, preparation is key when dealing with worst-case scenarios like these.

Factors Why Active Shooter Training is Critical

First off, it’s about upholding an employer’s duty. The job of any boss isn’t just to delegate tasks but also to safeguard the well-being of their employees. Knowing that there’s a plan in place for such unthinkable situations can bring a sense of calm and security to the workforce.

Second, the federal law isn’t exactly clear on what steps employers should take to ensure safety at work – it leaves room for interpretation. That’s why it rests upon the shoulders of employers to build robust emergency plans. These need to cover all possible scenarios – fires, floods, and yes, even an active shooter situation.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where gun violence is common – especially here in the U.S.! In light of this harsh reality, companies must consider active shooter training as part of their overall approach towards risk management. Such training arms employees with knowledge and techniques needed to survive such horrifying circumstances.