Workplace Violence Prevention Checklist [FREE PDF]

Workplace violence affects nearly 2 million U.S. workers annually and is considered a recognized hazard under OSHA's General Duty Clause 5(a)(1), requiring employers to implement prevention programs. A comprehensive prevention check evaluates physical security controls, reporting mechanisms, employee training, and threat assessment procedures to reduce risk across all four OSHA-identified types of workplace violence. Conducting this review regularly helps organizations meet their duty of care ob

  • Industry: General Business
  • Frequency: Quarterly
  • Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Role: HR Director
  • Total Items: 36
  • Compliance: OSHA General Duty Clause 5(a)(1), OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 Emergency Action Plans, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Section 7.14, ADA Standards for Accessible Design Section 4.3, Local Building Codes - Access Control Requirements

Written Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Confirm that a formal written Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) exists, is current, and addresses all required elements.

  • Does the organization have a written Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) approved by senior leadership?
  • Has the WVPP been reviewed and updated within the past 12 months or following any workplace violence incident?
  • Does the WVPP define all four types of workplace violence (criminal intent, customer/client, worker-on-worker, personal relationship)?
  • Is the WVPP accessible to all employees, including remote and field-based staff?
  • Does the WVPP include a clear zero-tolerance statement for workplace violence signed by executive leadership?

Threat Reporting & Incident Documentation Systems

Evaluate whether employees have accessible, confidential mechanisms to report threats and whether all incidents are properly documented.

  • Is there an anonymous or confidential reporting mechanism (hotline, app, or form) available for employees to report threats or concerns?
  • Are all workplace violence incidents and near-miss threats documented in a centralized log?
  • Is there a documented process for investigating reported threats with defined timelines and responsible parties?
  • Are employees informed of the reporting process during onboarding and via annual reminders?
  • Are all reported threats tracked to resolution with documented corrective actions?

Physical Security & Access Controls

Inspect physical security measures including access control, lighting, alarm systems, and visitor management protocols.

  • Are all building entry points controlled by badge access, key fob, or manned reception and functioning correctly?
  • Is all exterior and parking lot lighting functioning adequately with no dark or blind spots identified?
  • Are security cameras operational, covering all entry/exit points, and recorded footage retained per policy?
  • Is there a visitor management system in place requiring all visitors to sign in, show ID, and wear visible identification?
  • Are panic buttons, duress alarms, or two-way communication devices available in high-risk areas (reception, cash handling, isolated workstations)?
  • Are accessible evacuation routes and emergency exits clearly marked, unobstructed, and tested within the past quarter?

Employee Training & Awareness

Verify that all employees and managers have received appropriate workplace violence prevention training and know how to respond.

  • Have all employees received workplace violence prevention training within the past 12 months?
  • Have managers and supervisors received enhanced training on recognizing behavioral warning signs and threat escalation?
  • Does training include an Active Threat / Run-Hide-Fight or equivalent life-safety response protocol?
  • Are training completion records maintained and available for all current employees?
  • Is de-escalation training provided to employees who regularly interact with the public, clients, or customers?

Threat Assessment Team & Response Protocols

Confirm that a multidisciplinary Threat Assessment Team (TAT) is in place with defined roles, protocols, and response procedures.

  • Is a Threat Assessment Team (TAT) or Behavioral Intervention Team formally established with defined membership?
  • Has the TAT met within the past quarter to review any open threat cases or program updates?
  • Are TAT members trained in structured threat assessment methodologies (e.g., WAVR-21 or similar)?
  • Is there a documented escalation protocol specifying when law enforcement should be notified of a credible threat?
  • Are restraining orders or no-contact directives involving employees or the workplace communicated to security and management?

Post-Incident Response & Employee Support

Review available post-incident support resources, critical incident response procedures, and return-to-work protocols.

  • Is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or equivalent mental health support available and actively promoted to employees?
  • Is there a documented Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) or crisis counseling protocol activated after workplace violence events?
  • Is there a formal return-to-work protocol for employees impacted by workplace violence incidents?
  • Has a post-incident review been conducted for every workplace violence incident in the review period to identify prevention improvements?
  • Are incident communications managed through a designated spokesperson to protect employee privacy and limit organizational liability?

Identified Gaps, Corrective Actions & Next Steps

Document deficiencies found during this review, assign corrective actions, and set target completion dates.

  • Were any deficiencies or non-compliant items identified during this review?
  • Have all identified deficiencies been entered into the corrective action tracking system with assigned owners?
  • Is a follow-up inspection scheduled within 30 days to verify corrective actions have been completed?
  • Please describe all deficiencies found, corrective actions assigned, and any additional observations from this review.
  • Please attach any supporting photos, incident reports, or documentation referenced during this inspection.

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Why Use This Workplace Violence Prevention Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This workplace violence prevention checklist [free pdf] helps general business teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for hr director professionals, this checklist covers 36 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: quarterly.

Ensures compliance with OSHA General Duty Clause 5(a)(1), OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 Emergency Action Plans, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Section 7.14, ADA Standards for Accessible Design Section 4.3, Local Building Codes - Access Control Requirements. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Workplace Violence Prevention Checklist [FREE PDF]?

A Workplace Violence Prevention Checklist [FREE PDF] is a standardized inspection form used by hr director to ensure consistent general business operations. It contains 41 inspection points organized into 7 sections. FREE Workplace Violence Prevention checklist PDF. Audit threat assessment, reporting systems & physical security controls for OSHA compliance.

How often should I use this general business checklist?

This checklist is designed to be completed quarterly. Regular use ensures compliance with OSHA General Duty Clause 5(a)(1) and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 Emergency Action Plans and helps identify issues before they become problems.

Can I download this Workplace Violence Prevention Checklist [FREE PDF] as a PDF?

Yes, you can download this checklist as a FREE PDF for printing or offline use. The checklist includes 41 fields across 7 sections and typically takes 45-60 minutes to complete.

What compliance standards does this checklist cover?

This checklist helps ensure compliance with OSHA General Duty Clause 5(a)(1), OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 Emergency Action Plans, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Section 7.14, ADA Standards for Accessible Design Section 4.3, Local Building Codes - Access Control Requirements. Following these standards protects your organization and ensures best practices.

How do I complete this general business inspection checklist?

Begin by completing the header fields for Inspection Date & Time, Inspector Name, Facility / Location, Review Type, and Reviewer Title / Department. Work through each of the 7 sections, marking items Yes or No as applicable. Add notes for any issues found. The entire process takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

What are the key sections in this general business checklist?

This general business checklist is organized into 7 key sections: Written Workplace Violence Prevention Program, Threat Reporting & Incident Documentation Systems, Physical Security & Access Controls, Employee Training & Awareness, Threat Assessment Team & Response Protocols, Post-Incident Response & Employee Support, Identified Gaps, Corrective Actions & Next Steps. Each section contains specific inspection points that hr director must verify. The structured layout ensures nothing is missed during general business inspections and makes the process efficient, typically taking 45-60 minutes to complete.

Who should use this Workplace Violence Prevention Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is primarily designed for hr director working in general business operations. However, it is also valuable for quality assurance teams, safety officers, compliance managers, and supervisors who need to verify that general business standards are being met. Organizations of all sizes can benefit from using this Workplace Violence Prevention Checklist [FREE PDF] to maintain consistency and accountability.

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