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Be Prepared With a Plan
Unfortunately, many organizations feel ill-equipped to prevent a workplace violence
event. All too often, the incentive for implementing a prevention plan comes in
response to tragedy.
OSHA believes a well-written and implemented workplace violence prevention program,
combined with hazard controls and employee training, can reduce the incidence of
workplace violence.
Profile of an Active Shooter
An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people
in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearm(s) and
there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.
Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly Typically, the immediate
deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to
victims.
Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law
enforcement arrive on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and
physically to deal with an active shooter situation.
Responding to an active shooter situation
Active shooters can appear in easily accessed public spaces or in workplaces – both
private and public-facing. No matter where you are, remain as calm as possible and
remember:
o Be aware of any possible danger in your environment
o Identify the two nearest exits
o If you can flee, do so immediately – leave belongings behind
o If you cannot flee, find a potential hiding place with cover (that will stop a bullet)
and concealment (the assailant cannot see you there)
o If you are behind a door, lock, or block entry to it
o Silence electronic devices
o If able, turn off all lights and cover windows. As a last resort, try to incapacitate
the shooter – keep moving and be distracting
o In close range situations, fighting increases your chance of survival – work with
others to ambush the attacker with makeshift weapons (e.g., fire extinguishers,
books, chairs, etc.)
o Know your emergency notification methods and numbers
o Call or text 911 as soon as you can do so safely
How to respond when law enforcement arrives
Law enforcement will usually be required to end the situation. Comply with law
enforcement and allow them to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
There are several ways you can assist:
o To the best of your ability, be prepared to provide 911 and law enforcement with
your location, the number of shooters, physical description of the shooter(s), the
number and type of weapons used by the shooter(s) and the number of potential
victims
o When law enforcement arrives, remain calm and follow all instructions – in the
absence of other instructions keep your hands raised, visible and free of any
objects
o Don’t scream or yell
o Evacuate the area quickly – do not stop law enforcement to ask questions or for
help
Facing an active shooter can be unimaginable, but being prepared might save your life.
Remember to stay alert and as calm as possible. Try to run first, hide if you cannot flee
safely and fight only when you have no other choice.
Training for an active shooter situation
Every organization needs to address workplace violence. Managers and safety
professionals at every workplace should develop a policy on violence that includes:
o Employee training and creating an emergency action plan
o Conducting mock training exercises with local law enforcement
o Adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence
Training exercises will prepare staff to effectively respond and help minimize loss of life
by:
o Learning emergency escape procedures and route assignments, (i.e., floor plans,
safe areas)
o Receiving contact information for, and responsibilities of individuals to be
contacted during an active shooter incident
o Receiving information concerning local area hospitals (i.e., name, telephone
number, and distance from your location)
o Understanding the emergency notification system to alert various parties of an
emergency including:
o Individuals at remote locations within premises
o Local law enforcement
o Local area hospitals
o Recognizing the sound of gunshots
o Reacting quickly when gunshots are heard and/or when a shooting is witnessed:
o Evacuating the area
o Hiding out
o Acting against the shooter as a last resort
o Calling 911
o Reacting when law enforcement arrives
o Adopting the survival mind set during times of crisis
Preparing for the worst can be difficult. Nobody wants to think about being involved in a
situation with an active shooter – they can be unpredictable and unfold quickly. Because
an active shooter behaves erratically, they have no pattern and their victims are random
– being prepared can be your best defense.
In 2020, a mission-driven group of volunteers from across the construction industry came
together with the goal of saving lives. They collaborated to launch the inaugural Suicide
Prevention Week for the industry — a week dedicated to raising awareness about the higher-
than-average number of suicides in the construction industry, and to providing resources to
help prevent those deaths.
During Construction Suicide Prevention Week, organizations, like you, have the opportunity to
participate in this important movement as we all join an effort to get life-changing information
to the people who need it, lift the stigma surrounding mental health conversations, and come
together as a community to save lives.
Suicide is a leading cause of death among working age adults in the United States. It deeply
impacts workers, families, and communities. In the U.S. there are approximately 123 suicides
per day which means there is one death every 12 minutes.
The construction industry has the second highest rate of suicide in the United States at 53.3 per
100,000 workers according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Fortunately, like other
workplace fatalities, suicides can be prevented.
A major roadblock to addressing the issue of suicide in the construction industry is the stigma
associated with the concepts of depression, mental health challenges, and seeking help. This
stigma makes it incredibly difficult for those who may be considering suicide to get the help
they need.
Use the resources provided, on our website, to plan activities with your workers during
Construction Suicide Prevention Week.
Here are some specific ideas of ways your organization can participate:
o Share Who to Call in a Crisis, which is a list of organizations and phone numbers that
anyone can call when they need help. Many people may not know who they can turn to
when they need help and this simple act can put that information in front of those who
need it.
o Host one or more toolbox talks on topics like construction suicide dangers, reducing
stigma, recognizing warning signs, how to listen, and how to seek help.
o Post your efforts on social media. By sharing how your organization is promoting this
campaign you are proactively working to stamp out the stigma around mental health
and can prevent deaths by suicide.
o Hand out, or hang up, the fact sheets to let workers know all the options.
When developing and improving workplace safety programs, it’s important to remember that
addressing mental health issues can be as important as preventing physical health hazards on
the job.
We work diligently to ensure that you have the tools you need to prioritize safety in the workplace and on your job site.