What is the purpose of risk assessment in preventing workplace violence?

• A. To identify vulnerabilities, prioritize mitigations, and allocate resources to reduce risk.
• B. To guarantee zero risk.
• C. To assign punishment to those who create risk.
• D. To determine insurance premiums.

Answer: (D)

The main aim of risk assessment in preventing workplace violence is to identify where vulnerabilities exist, determine which risks matter most, and use that information to allocate resources toward mitigations that reduce those risks. By examining potential threats, who could be affected, and how an incident might occur, the organization can prioritize protective measures such as access control, training on de-escalation and reporting, clear incident response processes, safe scheduling, and environmental design improvements. The goal is to lower both the likelihood and impact of violent events, not to guarantee zero risk. It isn’t about punishing those who create risk or about setting insurance premiums, which are separate considerations.