Workplace Violence Second-Leading Cause of Work-Related Deaths in Missouri

July 29, 2003
Workplace violence continues to plague Missouri's workforce. In Missouri, 30 of the state's 148 workplace deaths in 2000 were the result of assaults and violent acts.

Only transportation incidents resulted in more deaths. The recent workplace shootings in Jefferson City on July 1 is another example of the escalation of workplace violence.

"High-profile workplace violence incidents like the recent one in Jefferson City sensitize us to the destruction violence in the workplace can impose," says Bob Gibson, vice president of Loss Prevention and Administration for Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance (MEM). "These are needless, senseless deaths that can and should be prevented."

Nationally, workplace violence is a problem, too. In 2000, 898 employees were killed as the result of a homicide or suicide in the workplace. That number was up slightly from 1999's total of 870.

Some types of industries are more likely to have high-risk occupations, Gibson says, including those where employees work alone or late at night, exchange money, work in high-crime areas or guard valuables. Companies that have recently downsized, reorganized or that have highly repetitive tasks or high-production volumes should also be alerted to the possibility of violence.

To guard against violence, Gibson suggests employers:

  • Watch for signs in employee behaviors that could indicate a propensity for violence, including impaired judgment, emotional difficulties, financial problems, legal problems, strained family relationships, threats and stress.
  • Instruct employees not to enter any location where they feel unsafe.
  • Establish a communication system, such as a cell phone, for field employees.
  • Encourage employees to report any violence or threats of violence.
  • Report all violent incidents to the local police.

Employees can be proactive, too, Gibson says. They should:

  • Be aware of workplace violence risk factors.
  • Report all violent incidents to supervisors, even if there are no injuries.
  • Attend safety education and training programs.
  • Follow established safety and security procedures.

"While it seems nearly anyone can commit workplace violence," Gibson says, "by knowing the warning signs, you can potentially stop someone's violent behavior before it turns deadly."

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

Committing to Safety: Why Leadership’s Role in Safety Excellence is Key

Jan. 13, 2025
Leadership has the power to transform an organization through their behavior and vision, which can result in the creation of an organizational culturethat supports safety excellence...

Speak Up! Cementing "See Something, Say Something" to Drive Safety

Jan. 13, 2025
Many organizations promote "see something, say something" to encourage their people to intervene and make work safe. But most don't go far enough to equip teams with the skills...

The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease

Jan. 13, 2025
DEKRA announces its latest white paper, “The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease,” as a definitive look into why being vulnerable to incidents strengthens our commitment...

Mitigating Risks: Strategies for Safeguarding Workers in Hazardous Workplaces

Jan. 13, 2025
Join our expert team in taking on the challenge to make safety part of your organization’s DNA as work, the workforce, and workplaces evolve.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!