The Difference Between Building a Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention Program and the Safe Workplace Certification 

By: Jake Newton

Clients often ask: why should I receive the Safe Workplace Certification (SWC)?  How is it different than developing a Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention (WVPI) program? 

The Bottom Line 

The process to accomplish each is very similar.  How the SWC differs is that it is third-party validation that your organization has developed a WVPI program consistent with prevailing Standards.  The SWC also includes additional criteria designed to further strengthen the program and/or go beyond the Standards in some cases. 

The Details 

Key benchmarks CPPS references when partnering with organizations to build their WVPI programs are OSHA Instruction 02-01-058 and the ANSI/ASIS WVPI AA-2020 Standard.  Each was originally published in 2011 and have since been republished in 2017 and 2020 respectively.  Absent legislation or other industry-specific guidance, they routinely appear in litigation.  Therefore, CPPS helps organizations align with these Standards as a measure to help address liability concerns for workplace violence. 

For years, organizations partnered with CPPS to implement the guidance of these documents.  This process helped influence the development of the CPPS Tiered Approach.  Then, as organizations became consistent with the Standards, the question became “now what”? 

This was the genesis of the SWC.  Organizations pursue the same WVPI program development process.  The SWC validates that these components have been implemented and ensures they remain consistent with the Standards over the course of time.  For example, the Standards state that awareness training should be provided at the time of hire and throughout the course of employment.  They also identify several key topical areas that the training is to address.  

For simply building a program, CPPS would develop the awareness training in a manner consistent with the Standards.  In program governance, CPPS also works with a client to identify a cadence for the training regimen.  The SWC builds, also requiring that the organization must maintain at least 75% completion of the training by personnel annually. 

Is the SWC worth the effort? 

Organizations that are progressing through the process and/or have achieved certification are seeing these benefits: 

  • Third-party validation that your WVPI is consistent with prevailing Standards and Best Practices 

  • Talent acquisition and retention.  Employees appreciate commitment to safety and security.  The SWC is a quality means to demonstrate that effort.  

  • Potential reduction in liability insurance premiums.  Show your insurer how you’re addressing this risk and they may reflect it in your premiums.  CPPS can assist with the process.  CPPS been told directly by underwriters previously: “we love certifications.”  

  • Likely reduces liability exposure in the event of an incident.   Being certified and/or building a WVPI program doesn’t make an organization immune from an event.  It does, however, provide a means to show that you have a formalized process for addressing this issue and is benchmarked to authoritative guidance. 

  • Providing expert witness testimony by CPPS experts in the event of litigation.  Because events can still occur, CPPS is dedicated to helping with the process should it be desired. 

  • Increased leadership support.  The SWC is a holistic approach that offers leadership peace-of-mind.  It’s not simply a one-time training or a policy that gets hidden in a drawer.  The SWC addresses the issue of workplace violence holistically and continually. 

Conclusion 

Building a WVPI program can be a significant endeavor.  Regardless, it’s worthwhile.  Pursuing the SWC is a way to validate the effort put in and create confidence that the effort was worth the time.  For further information on achieving the Safe Workplace Certification or questions, contact CPPS. 

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