The UFCW’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Office is offering workplace violence prevention and basic first-aid training sessions for local unions. These sessions are designed to help members proactively identify, prevent, and respond to potential workplace violence threats and to be prepared to provide care if an injury does occur.
The training sessions include:
Workplace Violence and Security Training
The Workplace Violence and Security training primarily focuses on describing the risks and types of workplace violence our members face. After identifying several risk factors, our members then learn several ways to prevent immediate and future workplace violence threats. It is important for our members to recognize that there are many forms of workplace violence outside of an active shooter situation, and policies must be in place to protect workers against all of them.
Active Assailant Training
The Active Assailant training was created in collaboration with Sgt. Steve Austin, a police officer at one of our locals in Maryland. In this training, our members focus more on active attack events by reviewing previous attacks and identifying ways to prevent them. Another focal point of the training is stress response and a person’s natural body response to disaster.
Active Violence Immediate Response Training (AVIRT)
AVIRT is a Health and Safety Institute training that has two main focuses: first aid and what to do in an active shooter situation. The first point of emphasis is about the first aid that is required for gunshot wound victims. Our members go through hands-on training on stopping severe bleeds and working on a victim in a time of emergency. The second half of the training focuses on the active shooter event, and trains members interactively about the run, hide, fight active shooter response strategy.
Stress and Resilience Training
This training focuses on how to effectively manage stress, build resilience, and improve mental well-being for a healthier, more productive workforce.
“It is a great opportunity to teach our members the skills they need to know in the unfortunate event of an active shooter situation,” said Roy McAllister, director of the OSH Office, during an AVIRT training session for UFCW International staff. “While we are always happy to provide our members with the training to keep them safe, I hate the fact that we are living in a time where we must teach this class. I hope they never have to use this training.”
“I’ve been through several workplace violence trainings over the years, and while their necessity is unfortunate, this experience stood out because it went beyond videos and slide presentations,” said Matt Hartnett, who participated in the AVIRT training session for UFCW International staff. “The interactive scenarios, such as emergency first-aid pop quizzes and an engaging simulation, provided practical guidance on supporting others during an emergency and recognizing potential warning signs before a situation escalates. While no one can know exactly how they’ll respond in a crisis like this, having that knowledge and experience makes me feel more prepared and less likely to freeze in the moment.”
If your local is interested in coordinating a workplace violence prevention training session with the OSH Office team, contact Victoria Valentina, assistant director of the OSH Office, at vvalentina@ufcw.org.