ASIS Releases Updated Workplace Violence Prevention Standard
Revised guidance emphasizes threat assessment, early intervention and management accountability to improve workplace safety.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Nov 04, 2026
ASIS International has released a revised workplace violence prevention and intervention standard designed to help organizations identify threatening behavior, assess potential risks and respond before incidents escalate.
The updated standard, approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), provides a framework for developing and maintaining workplace violence prevention programs. It builds on the organization's 2020 standard, incorporating additional guidance on leadership responsibilities, threat assessment and program evaluation.
According to ASIS International, the standard outlines policies, procedures and responsibilities organizations can use to identify, assess and address threatening or intimidating behavior in the workplace.
The revision places greater emphasis on management accountability and establishing multidisciplinary threat management teams. These teams are responsible for receiving reports of concerning behavior, evaluating potential threats and coordinating appropriate interventions.
The updated framework also addresses workplace violence risk assessments, confidential reporting procedures and employee training. Organizations are encouraged to establish reporting systems that allow workers to raise concerns early and support appropriate responses to identified threats.
Another component involves behavioral threat assessment and management, which focuses on recognizing concerning behavior and determining appropriate interventions before violence occurs.
The standard also addresses intimate partner violence affecting the workplace, coordination with law enforcement and emergency response planning.
Organizations are encouraged to evaluate their prevention programs regularly using performance indicators and make improvements based on identified risks and program effectiveness.
The revision includes guidance for responding to active assailant incidents, providing organizations with additional information on emergency preparedness and response.
The standard is voluntary and does not establish new federal workplace safety regulations. However, it offers employers and safety professionals a framework to review existing workplace violence prevention policies and identify potential gaps.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the content editor of Occupational Health & Safety.