Ep. 644 Creating a Safer Workplace Through Effective Violence Prevention Planning

Data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that in 2023, shows that 740 fatalities were caused by violent acts in the workplace across multiple industries. Rancho Mesa’s Client Technology Specialist, Brenda Colby sit down with Client Technology Coordinator, Chad Winder to discuss important information about workplace prevention.

Show Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Rancho Mesa's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brenda Colby⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Chad Winder

Editor: Jadyn Brandt

Music: "Home" by JHS Pedals, “Breaking News Intro” by nem0production

© Copyright 2026. Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Transcript

Brenda Colby: You’re listening to Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne™ podcast, where each week we break down complex insurance and safety topics to help your business thrive.  I’m your host, Brenda Colby, and I’m joined by Chad Winder, Client Technology Coordinator with Rancho Mesa, and today we’re going to talk about workplace violence prevention.

Chad, welcome to the show.

Chad Winder: Happy to be here Brenda.

BC: We’re happy you’re here.

So we know from looking at data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that in 2023, 740 fatalities were caused by violent acts in the workplace across multiple industries.

So, Chad how does OSHA define workplace violence, and who can be impacted by it in the workplace?

CW: So, OSHA defines workplace violence as, “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening behavior that occurs at the work site.” Employees, clients, customers, and visitors can all be affected by and involved in incidents of workplace violence.

And while preventing fatalities and injuries is a top concern when addressing workplace violence, organizational, financial, and emotional consequences can also arise from these types of violent incidents.

BC: Yeah that’s a great point. Will you tell our listeners what key elements employers should include in an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan to help protect employees and comply with regulations?

CW: Absolutely. Implementing clear and well-enforced violence prevention guidelines is key. And Workplace Violence Prevention Plans set a zero-tolerance precedent toward workplace violence for all workers, contractors, clients, patients, and visitors. In California, where a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan is required, it must include hazard assessments, proper reporting procedures, violence prevention training and communication, and emergency response protocols.

BC: Right. And while federally there are no specific guidelines that require a plan, it’s not a bad idea to have one in place anyways.  Plus, employers should check with their state and local laws to ensure they are compliant.

Now, what actions should employers take immediately following a workplace violence incident to support affected employees and prevent future occurrences?

CW: Cal/OSHA recommends, if an incident does occur, employers should provide prompt medical evaluation and treatment and should report the incident to local law enforcement. Victims should be informed of their legal recourse, and violent incidents should also be investigated by the organization.

And employers should also communicate with staff honestly about the incident and discuss ways to avoid similar situations, including reviewing and updating workplace policies. Also, violent incidents should be recorded in an employer’s OSHA 300 logs.

BC: Yeah, that’s all great information. Plus, while every Workplace Violence Prevention Plan is unique to its organization, Rancho Mesa offers a variety of sample policies, and online trainings through the RM365 HRAdvantage™ Portal and SafetyOne™ platform.

So, Chad, if listeners have questions about Rancho Mesa’s resources for building a Workplace Violence Prevention Program, how can they get in contact with you?

CW: Clients can contact me at cwinder@ranchomesa.com or call me directly at 619-499-7389.

BC: Great, and if clients would like to connect with me, you can reach me at bcolby@ranchomesa.com or (619) 486-6562.

Chad, thanks for joining me in StudioOne.

CW: Thanks for having me.

BC: Thank you for tuning in to our latest episode produced by StudioOne. If you enjoyed what you heard, please share this episode and subscribe. For more insights like this, visit us at ranchomesa.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.