Annual Probability of Workplace Violence

The Bureau of Labor Statistics and NIOSH estimate that approximately 2 million American workers report experiencing workplace violence each year, representing about 0.5% of the workforce. This includes physical assaults, threats of violence, verbal abuse, and harassment. However, the actual number is believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting.

Healthcare and social service workers face the highest rates of workplace violence, experiencing violence at rates 5 times higher than workers in other industries. Other high-risk occupations include law enforcement, retail (especially late-night convenience stores and gas stations), education, and transportation. About 458 workers were fatally injured in workplace violence in 2022, with about 57% of those involving shootings.

Workplace violence can be categorized as criminal (robbery), customer/client, worker-on-worker, or domestic violence that spills into the workplace. Risk factors include working with the public, handling money, working alone, working late night shifts, and working in high-crime areas. OSHA recommends comprehensive workplace violence prevention programs that include risk assessment, environmental design, administrative controls, and employee training.