Business Leaders:
Workplace Safety Requires a Trauma-Informed Approach
There’s nothing more important than creating a safe workplace, and that includes ensuring employees are prepared to handle violent critical incidents.
While a lockdown-only approach has been the go-to practice for many years, federal and state agencies recommend practices that utilize a multi-option response. The emerging research on the harmful effects of trauma makes it necessary to rethink outdated safety procedures and incorporate trauma-informed safety courses to support vulnerable individuals as much as possible.
Trauma occurs as a result of an emotionally harmful situation, such as violence, abuse, neglect or loss. It can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. As such, it’s crucial that safety training courses utilize a trauma-informed approach to protect employees’ physical, emotional and social safety.
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What Is a Trauma-Informed Approach?
A trauma-informed approach is guided by the concept of the “Four R’s.” This stands for:
- Realize – Companies must have a basic understanding of what trauma is and how it affects the physical, emotional and mental health of employees. This includes coping strategies, behavioral problems, learning difficulties and more.
- Recognize – Companies should be able to recognize the signs of trauma. For example, employees may be physically or verbally aggressive, have regular absences or tardiness or seem alienated from others.
- Respond – Companies should apply a trauma-informed approach when responding to employees. From the language that is used to the policies that are implemented, training should utilize evidence-based trauma practices to promote a physically and psychologically safe environment.
- Resist re-traumatization – Active shooter drills may inadvertently create stressful environments that may re-traumatize employees. Resist re-traumatization during active shooter safety drills with open discussion and debriefing when necessary.
Implementing the “Four Rs” can help companies develop trauma-informed practices that create a culture of physical, social and emotional safety. In doing so, leaders can focus less on “What’s wrong with this person?” and more on “What happened to them and how can I help?”
Trauma-Informed Practices in Workplace Safety Training
Safety training can be a traumatizing experience for some. Think about how it might affect an employee who has experienced abuse or violence or one who has left a war-torn country. Safety training, especially active threat response training, asks people to imagine being in a scenario that could be upsetting in myriad ways. Trauma-informed safety training understands that while these preparation exercises are essential, they need to be approached differently.
Recommended considerations:
- Always announce active shooter drills – Employees should always have advance notice of the training to adequately prepare.
- Reduce the length and dramatization of simulations – Avoid using highly dramatized intruders, weapons and simulated gunshots or sirens during the safety training.
- Discuss the training afterward – Companies should allow time for employees to discuss the training and process what happened in a healthy way.
- Utilize calming strategies – Leaders should know how to remain calm during safety training, as employees will follow their lead. They should understand specific calming strategies to implement for those who they see struggling during the training.
- Offer alternative means of learning – To avoid re-traumatization, offer an alternative method of safety training for those who may be especially vulnerable to these stressors.
ALICE Training®: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Active Threat Response Training
ALICE Training®, a solution of Navigate360, is the #1 active shooter preparedness solution. This multi-option response training understands that critical situations are fluid and as such, one approach does not fit all. Instead, employees should be trained to understand the different response options available to them based on the incident at hand and their proximity to danger. These options include lockdown (with enhanced barricade), counter and evacuate while understanding the communication and acceptance of information during the incident: Alert and inform.
The basis of ALICE Training® is to help employees understand how to proactively respond to violent situations without re-traumatizing them. It utilizes a trauma-informed approach by:
- Employing curricula that meets the diverse cognitive, behavioral and developmental needs of employees
- Offering resources for employees who may have special considerations and need an alternate safety training option
- Using multi-option response training that empowers employees to participate in their survival while reducing anxiety and building confidence
Conclusion
The importance of safety training in the workplace cannot be overstated and utilizing trauma-informed practices is crucial. ALICE Training® uses the same strategies adopted by many federal and governmental agencies. To learn more about ALICE Training® and the benefits of our trauma-informed, age- and ability-appropriate, multi-option violent critical incident response training, contact us today.
