New hazard alert on workplace violence

Portland, OR — In light of the 29 workplace homicides that have occurred in the state since 2018, the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences has issued a hazard alert.

“Most of these cases occurred in places where money is exchanged, in isolated worksites with few employees or at night with low visibility,” the alert states. OIOHS cites data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that nearly 1,800 workplace homicides occurred nationwide between 2018 and 2021.

Safety tips for employers:

• Assess potential risks at the worksite and develop site-specific policies for violence prevention.
• Develop and practice emergency procedures, such as drills or triggering an alarm system.
• Increase staffing or security at worksites with a history of robbery or violence.
• Provide de-escalation training and instruct employees to promptly report potentially violent behaviors.
• Ensure supervisors investigate all threats, acts of violence and disruptive behaviors in a timely manner.
• Text 911 instead of calling (in areas where text service is available) to contact emergency services quietly.

The alert details three separate fatal workplace incidents that involved a store manager, an agricultural worker and a farmer.