The Safety Snapshot
Clear Guidance for Safer Workplaces

A Simple Safety Algorithm Every Employee Should Know

When something feels off at work, employees often ask themselves:

“Is this serious enough to report?”
“Am I overreacting?”
“What am I actually supposed to do right now?”

In stressful or uncertain situations, clarity matters more than complexity.

That’s why we’ve created a Quick Safety Algorithm — a simple, practical decision framework employees can use to determine what action to take in any workplace situation involving concerning or unsafe behavior.

Why Simple Guidance Matters

Most workplace violence incidents do not start with a physical attack.
They begin with behavior — unusual actions, escalating frustration, threats, or boundary issues.

The challenge for employees is knowing:

When to stay calm and observe

When to disengage

When to escalate to a supervisor

When to call 911

Without guidance, people hesitate — and hesitation can allow situations to escalate.

This Quick Safety Algorithm provides clear direction without panic — supporting safer decisions in real-time.

Designed for Real Workplaces

This guidance is intentionally designed for everyday work environments — offices, retail spaces, hospitality settings, healthcare facilities, property management offices, and shared workspaces.

Employees are not expected to be security professionals. They are expected to notice concerns, act appropriately, and prioritize safety. This framework supports those expectations without placing responsibility where it doesn’t belong.

Below is a simple way for employees to assess a situation and determine the appropriate next step.

The Quick Safety Algorithm:

What to Do in Any Situation

1. Is the behavior unusual or concerning?

If something doesn’t feel right:

• Stay calm

• Create space

• Notify a supervisor

Early awareness and reporting help prevent escalation.

2. Is the behavior escalating?

Examples include threats, aggression, or property damage.

At this stage:

• Disengage immediately

• Move to a safe area

• Alert a supervisor or HR

Employees are not expected to confront or de-escalate aggressively.

3. Is there imminent danger?

This includes weapons, physical attacks, or blocked exits.

In these situations:

• Get to safety

• Call 911

• Warn coworkers if you can

• Follow emergency procedures

Safety always comes first.

4. Once safe

After an incident:

• Report what happened

• Document what you observed (facts only, not assumptions)

• Participate in follow-up questions if asked

Documentation helps organizations identify risks and improve protections.

The Most Important Reminder

Your role is awareness and safety — not confrontation.

Employees are not security guards, investigators, or enforcers.
Their responsibility is to notice concerns, act appropriately, and prioritize safety.

How This Supports SB 553 Compliance

California’s SB 553 Workplace Violence Prevention law emphasizes:

• Early identification of warning signs

• Clear reporting procedures

• Employee participation in prevention

• Training that employees can understand and apply

Frameworks like this help demonstrate that training is not just theoretical — it’s practical and actionable.

Want the Full System Behind This Guidance?

This Quick Safety Algorithm is just one piece of a complete approach to workplace violence prevention.

Our SB 553 Workplace Violence Prevention Toolkit & Employee Training Program provides employers with:

• A compliant Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP)

• Employee training materials and scripts

• Required logs and documentation forms

• Clear guidance for reporting, response, and follow-up

If you’re looking for a structured way to turn awareness into compliance, we’ve built tools to help.

Download the Quick Safety Algorithm

✅ Free printable reference

✅ Employee-friendly language

✅ Suitable for onboarding and refresher training

Please complete the brief form below to receive the Quick Safety Algorithm. We’ll email the document to the email address you provide and may follow up with additional workplace safety resources related to this topic.

👉 Click here to submit your info and receive the free Quick Safety Algorithm PDF by email. Click Here!

Final Thought

Workplace safety doesn’t require employees to “know everything.”
It requires clear expectations, simple guidance, and a culture that supports early reporting.

This algorithm helps make those expectations clear — one step at a time.

This guidance is for awareness only. It does not replace professional security or law enforcement. Always follow company policy and local laws.