Health Care Organizations May Be Inspected After Incidents or Complaints Occur

Reports of violence in the workplace are always shocking and sometimes horrifying. Most violent events happen seemingly at random; yet, they sometimes can be prevented by identifying and mitigating contributing factors, including those relating to the health care environment. Although the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have a specific standard for workplace violence, it may investigate incidents of workplace violence and can cite an employer under the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s Section 5(a)(1), known as the General Duty Clause. Under the General Duty Clause an employer is responsible for furnishing “to each of his employees, employment, and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to his employees.”

Patient-to-Staff Violence Most Common Type in Health Care Workplace:

The OSHA directive defines the following four types of violence that can occur in the workplace:

• Violence with criminal intent
• Violence directed at staff by patients or clients
• Co-worker to co-worker violence
• Personal or domestic violence spilling over into the workplace

Workplace violence accidents and injuries cost corporations millions of dollars and thousands of hours lost every year. They also have a profound, often lifelong impact, on workers. United Alliance Services’ professional staff introduces a safety culture into the organization where workplace safety is valued as an integral part of the business’ operation that not only saves the business time and money; it also builds a committed, loyal, and healthy workforce.

Request a quote today to start the process of protecting your employees from the threat of workplace violence. We offer group discounts on 3 or 4-hour workplace violence seminars starting as low as $750/seminar.

Photo Credit:  Sira Anamwong Free Digital Photos