Question: Does OSHA provide guidance to protect healthcare workers from workplace violence? What about in a hospice?
Answer: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a web page dedicated to providing information and guidance for healthcare workers and their employees regarding workplace violence specific to the health care industry. OSHA understands that workplace violence (WPV) is a recognized hazard in the healthcare industry and defines WPV as any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It can affect and involve workers, clients, customers, and visitors. WPV ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that all hospitals and healthcare employers develop a comprehensive violence program; non-hospital settings where violence has been determined to exist are advised to do the same. Employers are advised to form multidisciplinary committees that include direct-care staff as well as union representatives (if available) to identify risk factors in specific work scenarios and to develop strategies for reducing them. All affected workers should be alert and cautious when interacting with patients and visitors. They should actively participate in safety training programs and be familiar with their employers’ policies, procedures, and materials on violence prevention.
OSHA suggests the following references for employer use:
- Violence Occupational Hazards in Hospitals.
- Workplace Violence Prevention for Nurses.
- Oregon’s Violence Prevention Program – Online, provides information about methods to recognize, evaluate, and respond to risk factors related to workplace violence.
- The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has a page with information on workplace violence in healthcare settings, including guidance documents and training materials employers may find useful in developing a workplace program.
- Home Healthcare Workers: How to Prevent Violence on the Job.
For help with creating policies specific to hospices, see:
