MACON, Ga. — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says about two million people report some type of workplace violence each year.
The United States Department of Labor defines workplace violence as any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that happens at work.
Is workplace violence on the rise?
Captain David Freeland with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office Training Division has worked in law enforcement for about 17 years. He works with deputies and the public to prepare for active shooting situations.
"It's very hard to prevent because, again you don't see it coming," Freeland said.
On Wednesday night an employee at the YKK AP America, Inc. plant in Dublin ended up in the hospital after police say a coworker shot him.
Feeland says workplace violence can come in many forms, so it is important to always be aware of your surroundings.
"We want people at work to feel safe too so you have to be kind of on your toes a little bit," Freeland said.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, about 25 percent of workplace violence goes unreported.
The National Safety Council says assaults are the fourth leading cause of work-related deaths. The council reports between 2014 and 2017, workplace assault that led to nonfatal injuries increased by about 2,400 cases.
13WMAZ verified that workplace violence does appear to be on the rise, but the numbers do not tell the full story.
"They could be reported as just shots fired. It could go out as an active shooter. So a lot of time it might not get reported as workplace violence type shooting versus an aggravated assault," Freeland said.
Freeland suggests reporting any signs of workplace violence to management at the facility you work at and law enforcement.
"Be mindful of your surroundings and again, don't take anything for granted," Freeland said.
The National Safety Council says in 2017, workplace assaults resulted in more than 18,000 injuries and 450 deaths. The council reports certain industries, like healthcare and education, are more prone to violence.