Safe Workplace Certification (SWC)

Third‑party validation that your violence prevention program meets or exceeds OSHA, ASIS/ANSI, and emerging legislative standards.

Get Certification

When your board asks, “Are we doing everything possible?”

Workplace violence is a growing concern, and organizations must show they are proactively protecting their people, assets, and reputation.
 
The Safe Workplace Certification (SWC) from CPPS provides that proof, offering third-party validation that your program meets or exceeds OSHA, ASIS/ANSI, and emerging legislative standards.

With SWC, you demonstrate compliance, enhance trust, and build a culture of safety that lasts.

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What Is the Safe Workplace Certification?

The Safe Workplace Certification is the leading benchmark for workplace violence prevention programs. It validates that your organization has developed and implemented a comprehensive WVPI program that:

  • Aligns with OSHA’s Enforcement Instruction on workplace violence.
  • Meets the ASIS/ANSI WVPI Standard (AA-2020) for prevention, intervention, and response.
  • Addresses prevailing best practices and longstanding precedent for workplace violence.

By achieving certification, your organization earns recognized status as a Certified Safe Workplace—a visible, credible assurance of your commitment to safety.

What Certification Covers

The certification framework ensures a complete, enterprise-wide approach. It includes:

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Program Analysis & Vulnerability Assessment

Independent review of policies, governance, and readiness.

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Training at All Levels

– Employee awareness training on warning signs, reporting, and response.

– Manager and supervisor training to identify and address concerning behaviors.

– Specialized training for Threat Management Teams (TMT) and Crisis Management Teams (CMT).

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Threat & Crisis Management

Implementation of Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM), multidisciplinary TMT protocols, and active assailant readiness capability.

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Executive Leadership Engagement

Bolstering informed support, standards-based policy approval, incident response, and strategic oversight.

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Annual Recertification

Regular reassessments and continuous improvement to maintain compliance and alignment with evolving standards.

Benefits of Certification

Organizations achieving the Safe Workplace Certification gain measurable outcomes:

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Third-Party Validation

Confidence that your program meets or exceeds national safety standards.

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Legal & Insurance Protection

Stronger defensibility in litigation, with potential liability insurance savings.

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Employee Confidence & Retention

Builds a culture where employees feel safer and more willing to report concerns.

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Operational Efficiency

A turnkey, comprehensive solution that saves time and integrates with your culture.

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Reputation & Credibility

Enhanced trust with boards, regulators, clients, and employees.

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Cost Savings

Reduced exposure to legal, medical, and productivity costs associated with workplace violence.

How to Achieve Certification

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Step 1
Consult

Schedule a meeting with CPPS experts to assess your current program and identify gaps.

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Step 2
Align

Implement improvements with CPPS support to meet national standards and best practices.

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Step 3
Certify

Complete the review process and earn official Certified Safe Workplace recognition and plaque.

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Step 4
Sustain

Maintain certification with annual recertification and ongoing enhancements.

Schedule a Certification Consultation

FAQs

It involves a thorough review of your program by CPPS to ensure that your program meets the prevailing standards and/or certification criteria. If areas are not complete, you can implement many in-house and/or partner with CPPS to achieve the necessary requirements.

Most organizations fulfill the process in 12-18 months for initial certification.

No one specifically.  However, a Security or HR leader generally leads the process.

Once it’s initially achieved, certification is an annual recertification cycle, which is informed by prevailing standards for workplace violence prevention.

Yes, as long as they meet the standards and criteria.  A program review confirms this.

The SWC is achievable by any organization.

Your organization will receive a package of information that documents your fulfillment of all the criteria in the Handbook.  In addition, you’ll receive other tools to help communicate the certification.  You’ll also receive a custom award to display for the achievement.

While it’s not a black and white measurable outcome, it’s likely.  One advantage, should it be desired, is CPPS will provide expert witness testimony on your behalf should an incident occur.  Your insurance company may reflect the certification in your premiums, which CPPS is happy to assist with.  And, should an event occur, the certification is a means to demonstrate that you’ve done all you can to address this issue.  Certification does not guarantee you’re immune from an incident, however.  What it does is create assurance that your organization aligns with the prevailing standard for this issue, abides by longstanding precedent, and has implemented the practices known to best address potential workplace violence.

Contact us and we’ll walk you through it from there!  We’ll explain the requirements, identify what your program currently includes, and explain the process to get your organization to achieve certification!