What Companies Can Do To Stem Rising Workplace Violence

Lockton report takes a look at the four types of workplace violence and how companies can protect themselves

News provided by

Jul 10, 2014, 01:24 ET

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With an average of 700 workers killed while at work each year, and an estimated 572,000 nonfatal crimes occurring annually in the workplace, no industry is free of the possibility of severe workplace violence. This is a concern that should be addressed by companies nationwide.

In their recent report, "Workplace Violence: Employers Can Reduce Their Risk", Lockton's Lori Severson, Larry Poague and Mary Davis take a look at the four types of workplace violence:

violence by strangers,
violence by customers or clients,
violence by coworkers, and
violence by personal relations.

Different industries are at a different level of risk for each area. The Lockton experts point businesses to various prevention strategies, specific to each type of violence.

"Currently, violence in the workplace is an unregulated safety hazard," said Lori Severson, loss control consultant. "However, under the Federal OSHA General Duty Clause, employers can still be cited for the lack of a workplace violence program if violence does occur."

Even if businesses take all the necessary precautions, they cannot prevent all workplace violence incidents. The report looks at risk financing as another layer of protection to ensure companies are properly protected if an unforeseen violent event occurs. There are several different types of insurance Lockton can review with businesses to help cover a workplace violence event.

The report encourages employers to face the reality that random acts of violence may occur, but they can reduce the potential by taking the appropriate prevention measures and carefully plan their specific insurance coverage(s).

About Lockton

More than 5,000 professionals at Lockton provide 35,000 clients around the world with risk management, insurance, and employee benefits consulting services that improve their businesses. From its founding in 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri, Lockton has attracted entrepreneurial professionals who have driven its growth to become the largest privately held insurance broker in the world and 9th largest overall. Independent researcher Greenwich Associates has awarded Lockton its Service Excellence Award for risk management for large companies. For five consecutive years, Business Insurance has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance." To see the latest insights from Lockton's experts, check Lockton Market Update.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090415/CG99351LOGO

SOURCE Lockton