Workplace violence is a significant safety and health concern that is often overlooked.

It is crucial to recognize the warning signs that precede violent incidents and take appropriate action. This course aims to raise awareness among participants about potentially aggressive or violent situations in the workplace. It will cover methods for verbally mediating or diffusing aggressive behaviors. Additionally, participants will learn about workplace violence prevention policies and explore various preventative options.

The course will also discuss active threat scenarios and provide awareness of mitigating actions and potential lifesaving techniques. Recovery options for continuing business operations will also be addressed.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

• Initial risk assessment methods
• Profile and characteristics of an active shooter
• Workplace violence prevention policies
• Active shooter response options
• Warning signs, cues, and indicators
• Communications with law enforcement and 911 dispatchers
• Elements of verbal de-escalation
• Staff performance expectations
• Substance abuse and de-escalation
• Aftermath and counseling
• Medical conditions and de-escalation
• Media and public information awareness performance expectations
• Mental health challenges
• Recovery and business continuity discussion
• Demonstration of de-escalation techniques
• Site emergency action plans and comprehensiveness discussion
• Human beings and stress concerns

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course the participant will be able to:

• Recognize potentially aggressive or violent situations.
• Describe the effects of substance abuse and medical conditions that challenge de-escalation efforts.
• Explain the challenges of de-escalation when confronted with mental and cognitive disorders.
• List the elements of verbal de-escalation
• Discuss safety concerns as they relate to verbal de-escalation.
• Demonstrate some of the verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques to reduce physical confrontations.
• Describe workplace violence prevention policies.
• Utilize some of the workplace violence preventative options.
• Recognize active threat cues and indicators in potential perpetrators of violence.
• Describe the physical changes and limitations of human beings under the influence of stress.
• Describe and implement active threat responses that include run, hide and fight.
• Explain the process of recovery and business continuity after an onsite act of violence.

The goal of this course is to inform participants of workplace violence indicators, the appropriate use of verbal de-escalation skills to minimize physical confrontations, workplace violence prevention policies and appropriate response options for active threats.

Who Should Attend

This course is recommended for Leadership, HR professionals, Safety professionals, Supervisors, Team Leaders, First Responders, and anyone involved in responding to incidents of workplace violence.

Questions?

Contact Nicole Pierce at (484) 655-4873 or nicole.pierce@mrcpa.org.

Instructor 

Ben Iobst | Adjunct Instructor and Law Enforcement Professional

Ben grew up in the Poconos in Pennsylvania and joined the US Army shortly after 9/11.  In the Army Ben served on active duty as an Infantryman during multiple tours in the Iraq War. Upon returning home, Ben became an Allentown Police Officer, serving in multiple jobs, including Patrolman, Detective, Hostage Negotiator, a Specialty Team Commander and Patrol Supervisor.

Ben is passionate about helping first responders and veterans, as he is a peer support volunteer in both Eastern PA Critical Incident Stress Management Team and Lehigh Valley Law Enforcement Peer Wellness Group.  Ben holds a Master of Science from University of Cincinnati, a Bachelor of Arts from DeSales University, and is working on his Ph.D. from Liberty University.

Note: All registration fees must be received in advance of the date of your event. MRC must be notified two weeks in advance of this event if you need to cancel, otherwise we can only grant a credit to another MRC event. Remember, you can also send a substitute.