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720 Preventing Workplace Violence
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Exercises to Defuse Violent Situations

Two angry employees with clenched fists.
During a role-play, note the signs of escalating behavior and the techniques used to control it.

You can use these charts to develop three effective activities during training: role-playing exercises, scenarios, and hands-on practice. Of the three types of training, hands-on practice is usually the most effective.

During the role-play, note the signs of escalating behavior and the techniques used to control it. Afterwards have the group discuss their observations. Address the following questions: What went well? What problems were there? What responses would work better?

Write a scenario about a violent incident for a couple of employees to act out. Use a case scenario in this course or make up one appropriate to your company.

Hands-on Practice

If the violence in your workplace comes from unarmed people such as patients, you may want to train your employees in self defense and restraining techniques. Have your employees actually try out the techniques. Remember, in cases with armed perpetrators, such as robberies, it is usually safer to submit to the perpetrator's demands.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-7. Which of the following training methods is most likely to be effective in helping employees learn how to defuse violent situations?