Deadly Workplace Shooting in Pennsylvania: 2 Killed, 3 Injured

A disgruntled employee opened fire at a linen company near Philadelphia on Wednesday, killing two co-workers and injuring three more, according to police.

The workplace shooting occurred at about 8:30 a.m. at Delaware County Linen in the city of Chester.

The shooter fled the scene, but an unidentified suspect has been arrested, Chester Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky said in a press conference.

The three surviving victims were taken to a nearby hospital; one remains in critical condition.

This is an ongoing investigation, so we’ll learn more in the days to come.

Hopefully, you’ll never have to endure a workplace shooting at your company. But the fact is, gun violence continues to be a problem across the U.S. That’s why it’s crucial to prepare – just in case.

In the meantime, this tragedy serves as yet another reminder to prioritize:

• the development and implementation of emergency action plans, and
• safety and security training for employees.

Feds outline responsibilities: Who does what in a crisis?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has compiled active shooter guidance that can help employees stay safe in the event of a workplace shooting.

Preparing for and managing an active shooter situation requires a team effort. So who does what in a crisis?

The feds outlined a strategic plan that divides responsibilities by department:

• HR’s responsibilities include: Conducting effective employee screening and background checks; creating a system to report signs of potentially violent behavior; prioritizing mental health and making counseling services available to employees; and developing an emergency action plan.
• Facility manager’s responsibilities include: Instituting access controls (keys, passcodes); distributing critical items – like floor plans, keys and personnel name/phone lists – to appropriate managers; assembling crisis kits containing radios, floor plans, staff rosters, staff emergency contact numbers, flashlights and first aid kits; and placing removable floor plans near entrances for emergency responders.
• Managers’ responsibilities include: Being familiar with and following the emergency action plan; remaining calm; locking and barricading doors; assisting with evacuations; and helping individuals with special needs.

7 rules to follow in the aftermath of a workplace shooting

When it comes to safety and security training, an often overlooked area is what happens when help arrives.

In a crisis, most folks are likely to be stressed or traumatized. So they need to know what to expect – before an emergency happens.

When police arrive on the scene of a workplace shooting, they may:

• Be wearing either regular uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets and other tactical gear
• Be armed with rifles, shotguns and/or handguns
• Use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation, and
• Shout commands and push people to the ground for their safety.

The first officers on the scene won’t stop to help the injured. And they won’t stop to answer questions. Their priority will be to contain the threat.

For these reasons, DHS says folks must know how to respond appropriately. Here’s what everyone should be trained to do:

• Remain calm, and follow the police officers’ instructions
• Put down any items in their hands (i.e., bags, jackets)
• Immediately raise their hands and spread their fingers
• Keep their hands visible at all times
• Avoid making quick movements toward officers and making physical contact with them
• Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling, and
• Avoid stopping to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating.

Once employees are in a safe location, they will likely be held there by police until the situation is under control. Officers will want to verify that everyone has been accounted for and will want to talk to witnesses. Employees should not leave until they have been instructed to do so by police.