Workplace violence is often treated as a rare, worst-case event. In reality, the risk is broader, more common and often easier to miss. A recent overview from BSI Group breaks workplace violence into four categories: incidents involving strangers, customers or clients, coworkers, and personal relationships that spill into the workplace. Each comes with different warning signs and requires a different prevention strategy.

The threat is not abstract. Workplace violence accounts for roughly 14% of fatal work-related injuries in the United States.

That is why HR leaders cannot afford to build prevention plans around only the most visible scenario. Effective prevention starts with site-specific risk assessments, clear reporting channels, trained supervisors and close coordination across HR, security and operations.

“Workplace violence usually does not start with the most dramatic moment. It starts with a warning sign that gets missed, dismissed or never reported,” said Dave O’Neil, director of communications for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “The job for employers is to build a culture where concerns are raised early and acted on before a situation turns into a crisis.” 4/20/2026