It’s not uncommon for workplaces to hold preparedness drills covering a number of different disaster scenarios, including fires, earthquakes and tornadoes. But what about drills simulating a gunman attack?

Known as “active-shooter” drills, these simulations typically involve representatives from the local police and emergency response departments. They most often occur at schools or universities, but some are taking place at worksites.

Last October, a Colorado assisted-living facility hosted an active-shooter exercise. A consultant group and the police were involved, but at least one employee who was “held hostage” claims she was unaware the event was a drill. She’s now suing for mental and emotional distress.

Lawsuits aside, such drills are probably a good idea. About 10 percent of all workplace fatalities are homicides, and most of those are the result of gun violence.

In a 2011 bulletin, the FBI recommended drills and role-play as part of a workplace’s readiness and response training for workplace violence.

“Practicing responses in advance produces a more fluid and rapid response in the event of a real incident,” the FBI stated in the bulletin.

Do you agree? Does your workplace conduct any active-shooter or other type of workplace violence drills? Let me know in the comments below.

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