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 does the Workplace Violence Prevention Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 36 inspection items across 7 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. It is designed for general business operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed quarterly. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

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

This checklist is designed for HR Director professionals in the general business industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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