Provide Lab Staff Training on Workplace Violence and Active Shooter Events
Part of the duty to protect workers is to ensure those at risk receive proper training on what to do if an active shooter incident occurs.
Sadly, like hospitals and other healthcare providers, labs face the risk that a person carrying firearms will enter the facility and open fire. Active shooters could be disgruntled employees or patients, as in the case of the recent Tulsa hospital shooting, or an unknown third party with a terrorist mentality and agenda. Under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and state OSHA laws, employers have a duty to protect workers from foreseeable risk of violence. Part of that duty is to ensure those at risk receive proper training on what to do if an active shooter incident occurs. Here’s a briefing based on a short but compelling video created by the City of Houston, Texas, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on handling active shooter events.
| THE 3 STEPS TO TAKE IN RESPONSE TO AN ACTIVE SHOOTER Step 1: Run When an active shooter is in your vicinity, your first response should be to flee if there’s an escape path. That’s why you should always be aware of your surrounding environment and have an exit strategy if something should happen. Although you should try to help others escape, if possible, evacuate even if others disagree or choose to stay. When fleeing, leave your belongings behind. In addition, try to prevent others from entering the danger zone, such as warning people not to go into the building. And once you’re in a safe location, call for help. Step 2: Hide If you can’t get out safely, you need to find a place to hide, such as an office or closet. If you can’t find a safe room or closet, conceal yourself behind large objects that may protect you, such as copy machines. Your hiding place should: • Be out of the shooter’s view; • Provide protection from shots fired in your direction; and • Not trap or restrict your options for movement. Try to secure your hiding place, such as by locking or barricading the door. Turn off the lights—and your cell phone. You don’t want your phone to ring or even vibrate if the shooter is near. And do your best to remain quiet and calm while hiding. Step 3: Fight As a last resort and only if your life is at risk, fight. Whether you’re alone or working together as a group, try to incapacitate the shooter. Act with physical aggression—don’t be timid. Improvise weapons, using whatever items are handy, such as chairs, coffee mugs, tools, fire extinguishers, etc. And commit to your actions, that is, commit to taking the shooter down no matter what. When law enforcement arrives, remain calm and follow their instructions. Keep your hands visible at all times so officers know you’re not the shooter and don’t have any weapons. |
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