By Dennis McNamara

As taken from a list of 10 strangest incidents of workplace violence compiled by the Ohio Casualty Group, we have: an employee who poured gasoline on a bookkeeper and set her afire because his pay check was late; an employee spraying perfume on a coworker's desk daily to purposely irritate them; an employee striking a coworker with a chair when denied a promotion.

Most of us are nonviolent and expect others to be the same because most of what we hear and read about happens to other people. While this approach may carry us through our lives peacefully, it is not the recommended approach for businesses. One out of four workers will be attacked, threatened, or harassed at work in their lifetime.

Steps that you can take to help prevent workplace violence include:

1. Assess the potential for violence


2. Write a policy


3. Provide training


4. Establish procedures for reporting


5. Follow up


6. Review