On March 7, 2025, Virginia’s General Assembly passed House Bill 1919 (HB 1919), mandating that employers with 100 or more employees develop, implement, and maintain a workplace violence policy by January 1, 2027.
Key Requirements of HB 1919:
- Tailored Workplace Violence Policy: Employers must create a policy specific to their workplace’s conditions and hazards.
- Reporting Mechanism: The policy must include a clear process for employees to report incidents of workplace violence.
- Implementation Procedures: Employers are required to outline procedures for identifying responsible individuals, responding immediately to incidents, and conducting post-incident investigations.
- Risk Assessment: A comprehensive assessment of potential workplace violence risks and hazards must be conducted to inform the policy’s specifics.
- Anti-Retaliation Measures: The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report workplace violence incidents or concerns.
- Documentation and Retention: Employers must document all workplace violence reports, including details of the incident, responses, investigations, and corrective actions. These records must be retained for at least five years and be accessible to employees (with personal information redacted) and law enforcement upon request.
Additional Legislative Considerations:
Beyond HB 1919, House Bill 1620 (HB 1620) proposes the formation of a workgroup by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry to evaluate the prevalence of workplace violence. This group would develop recommendations for maintaining safe work environments, educating employers and employees on conflict resolution, and providing employee support services. While HB 1620 is currently tabled in committee, its future developments could further influence workplace violence prevention strategies in Virginia.
Implementing Effective Training with The Power of Preparedness (TPOP):
To ensure compliance with HB 1919 and proactively address workplace violence, partnering with The Power of Preparedness (TPOP) is highly recommended. TPOP specializes in online training solutions designed to prevent and reduce workplace violence. Their programs can assist businesses in:
- Developing Tailored Policies: Crafting policies that meet HB 1919’s requirements and address specific workplace hazards.
- Employee Education: Providing comprehensive training to equip employees with skills to prevent and respond to workplace violence.
- Risk Assessment: Conducting thorough assessments to identify potential risks and implement appropriate preventive measures.
- Documentation Practices: Establishing robust systems for documenting incidents and maintaining records in compliance with legal standards.
TPOP Offers Comprehensive Online Training:
TPOP offers a diverse array of training courses, each meticulously designed to address critical aspects of workplace safety and violence prevention. These courses include:
- De-Escalation Techniques: Strategies to manage and defuse tense situations involving customers, patients, students, or co-workers.
- Active Shooter/Active Assailant Preparedness & Response: Guidance on the “Run, Hide, Fight” protocol and survival tactics during such incidents.
- Situational Awareness: Techniques to remain vigilant about surroundings, recognize potential threats, and develop actionable plans.
- Interactions with the Homeless: Approaches to engage empathetically and safely with homeless individuals encountered in the workplace.
- Responding to Shoplifters: Best practices for identifying and appropriately responding to shoplifting incidents.
- Behavioral Indicators: Methods to detect early warning signs of potential violent behavior and proactive intervention strategies.
- Responding to Robberies: Guidelines to minimize risks during a robbery and ensure personal safety.
- Lockdowns: Procedures for effectively initiating and managing lockdown situations to protect employees.
- Response to Injury: First aid techniques and immediate responses to workplace injuries before professional medical help arrives.
- Recognizing Workplace Violence (SB-553, NY Retail Worker Safety Act, VA HB 1919): Understanding the various forms of workplace violence and identifying potential threats.
- Understanding Our Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (SB-553, NY Retail Worker Safety Act, VA HB 1919): Insights into developing and implementing a comprehensive violence prevention plan.
- Documenting and Reporting Violent Incidents (SB-553, NY Retail Worker Safety Act, VA HB 1919): Proper documentation and reporting protocols to ensure compliance and enhance workplace safety.
Industry-Specific Courses:
Recognizing that each industry faces unique challenges, TPOP offers tailored courses to address specific workplace environments, including:
- Education: Strategies for maintaining safety in educational institutions.
- Food Retail: Protocols to handle potential threats in grocery stores and similar settings.
- Food Service: Guidance for restaurants and food service establishments to ensure employee and customer safety.
- Healthcare: Specialized training to manage violence in healthcare settings, protecting both staff and patients.
- Houses of Worship: Measures to safeguard congregations and religious facilities.
- Manufacturing: Safety practices tailored to the manufacturing industry’s unique environment.
- Mass Gatherings: Preparation strategies for events with large crowds to prevent and respond to potential incidents.
- Office Facilities: Ensuring a secure environment in corporate and office settings.
- Retail: Addressing the specific safety concerns of retail establishments.
- Utilities: Training for utility companies to protect their workforce and infrastructure.
- Warehouses: Implementing safety protocols in warehouse operations to prevent violence and ensure employee well-being.
By collaborating with TPOP, businesses can foster a safer work environment, ensure compliance with state regulations, and empower their workforce to effectively handle and prevent workplace violence.
