More employers taking proactive steps to prevent workplace violence.

In a trend that appears to be accelerating, employers in more industries are taking practical action to keep their workers safe from violent attacks.

In September, a coalition of major hotel chains announced they were rolling out personal-alert devices (see at right) that will allow hotel employees to summon help should they face an on-the-job threat. Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt pledged to implement these hand-held "panic buttons" for all employees by 2020.

Also, major hospitals are adding armed guards in light of increased violence against medical professionals from patients and visitors. Of all professions, nurses now face the highest risk of violence at work. Between 2012 and 2014, there were more than 10,000 physical assaults on health care workers.

At Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania, security guards have begun carrying guns since an...