The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation Releases the Active Shooter Fact Sheet

OAKLAND — The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC) announces the release of a fact sheet for school employees, “Preventing and Preparing for an Active Shooter Incident.”

School shootings are an unfortunate aspect of modern society. While the likelihood of experiencing an active shooter incident is low, if it happens it is devastating for the entire community. This factsheet addresses what schools and school employees can do to prevent active shooter incidents. Such actions include working to create a healthy school climate, including maintaining open communication, and encouraging positive emotional support as well as recognizing potential threats. Schools and school employees are encouraged to participate in trainings and practice a “Run, Hide, Fight” strategy. The fact sheet was developed by the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley for CHSWC as part of CHSWC’s School Action for Safety and Health Program.

CHSWC established a Schools Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) model program, the California School Action for Safety and Health (SASH), to help schools statewide improve their injury and illness prevention practices. The program includes training and resources to enable schools or school districts to develop or improve IIPPs and to make other health and safety improvements that will help protect school or school district employees from workplace injuries and illnesses. This fact sheet is among the resources available to help schools address their health and safety practices.

CHSWC is charged with examining the health and safety and workers' compensation systems in California and recommending administrative or legislative modifications to improve their operation. The Commission was established to conduct a continuing examination of the workers' compensation system and of the state's activities to prevent industrial injuries and occupational illnesses and to examine those programs in other states.