This shooting serves as a reminder that employers need to take precautions to prevent workplace violence, said Diane Katz, Ph.D. Katz, a consultant specializing in conflict resolution, recommends the following eight safety tips:

1. Conduct extensive background checks on prospective employees to avoid hiring individuals who could be violent at work, giving more consideration to recent issues than to events that occurred years ago.
2. Train managers to be observant of changes in behavior among employees and to know what steps to take.
3. Train managers to resolve conflicts and to mediate effectively.
4. Adopt an employee assistance program that provides coaching and counseling for troubled employees.
5. Monitor morale and maintain two-way communications with employees.
6. Have an appropriate security system, depending on the size and nature of your business.
7. Establish a strong no-weapons policy and enforce it.
8. Trust your gut — if you are nervous about someone, deal with the matter or bring it to the attention of management.

Source:  Diane Katz, Ph.D., author of “Win at Work: The Everybody Wins Approach to Conflict Resolution” (Wiley, June 2010).