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KnowledgeCity

Workplace Violence Prevention

Recognize the warning signs and take action before violence strikes.
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Course: On-Demand
Essential Provider KnowledgeCity  7 Lessons ·  15m  in English, Spanish 

Course Description

Workplace violence includes more than physical fights. It can take the form of verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, or sexual harassment—and it often begins with smaller issues like mood swings or personality clashes. In this Workplace Violence Prevention course, you’ll learn how to identify early warning signs of aggression, respond to threats and harassment, and apply company policies for preventing violence. You’ll also explore OSHA requirements and best practices to keep your workplace safe and respectful.

You’ll learn how to recognize red flags, such as frequent complaints, sudden emotional outbursts, or fixations on past violent events. The course explains what aggressive behavior looks like and how to report it safely and responsibly.

You’ll also learn how to respond to a violent situation and what actions to take if you see someone with a weapon or acting irrationally. This course covers how to handle outside threats, including commercial crimes and domestic disputes, and how internal conflicts can escalate. It introduces the five key elements of a workplace violence prevention program, such as hazard identification and employee training.

By the end, you’ll know how to support a safe work environment, act early, and help reduce risks for everyone.

What You'll Learn

  • Identify the types and sources of workplace violence, including verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, and sexual harassment
  • Recognize behavioral red flags such as frequent complaints, sudden emotional outbursts, or fixations on past violent events
  • Apply steps to respond to and report threats or harassment safely and responsibly
  • Respond to violent situations, including when someone has a weapon or is acting irrationally
  • Explain OSHA's role in workplace violence prevention
  • Describe the five key elements of a workplace violence prevention program, such as hazard identification and employee training

Key Takeaways

  • Workplace violence includes more than physical fights; it can take the form of verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, or sexual harassment.
  • Violence often begins with smaller issues such as mood swings or personality clashes.
  • Red flags can include frequent complaints, sudden emotional outbursts, or fixations on past violent events.
  • Threats can come from outside sources such as commercial crimes and domestic disputes, as well as from escalating internal conflicts.
  • A workplace violence prevention program has five key elements, including hazard identification and employee training.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn in the Workplace Violence Prevention course?

You'll learn how to identify early warning signs of aggression, respond to threats and harassment, apply company policies for preventing violence, and explore OSHA requirements and best practices to keep your workplace safe and respectful.

Does this course only cover physical fights?

No. Workplace violence includes more than physical fights; the course covers verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, and sexual harassment, which often begin with smaller issues like mood swings or personality clashes.

What should I do if I see someone with a weapon or acting irrationally?

The course teaches how to respond to a violent situation and what actions to take if you see someone with a weapon or acting irrationally.

What topics and lessons are included?

Lessons include Workplace Violence, What is Violence?, Warning Signs, Handling Aggressive Behavior, Dealing with Violent Behavior, Creating a Workplace Violence Prevention Program, and a Review.

What skills does this course help build?

It builds skills in incident reporting, conflict management, threat assessment, workplace safety, and crime prevention.