Homicides are 3rd leading cause of death in workplace.

The recently-released 2011 Workplace Violence Fact Sheet shows that workplace homicides are the third leading cause of death at workplaces. The fact sheet noted that there are an average of 590 workplace homicides each year, meaning that more than 5,900 people have been killed while at work over the past 10 years. Those numbers do not include attempted workplace murders or suicides that happen at work, said Barry Nixon, the founder and executive director of the National Institute for the Prevention of Workplace Violence. Nixon added that the number of incidents of workplace violence appears to be on the decline, thanks in part to decisions by the government and a number of organizations to boost funding for security. In addition, Nixon noted that companies seem to be learning that preventing acts of workplace violence is better than simply reacting to such incidents, as more companies are asking his organization with help in developing preventative and proactive programs. Nixon said that there is more that companies can do to prevent acts of workplace violence, including engaging in regular and direct communications with employees about their role in preventing workplace violence, and training supervisors to properly handle employee concerns about the potential for violence.