Protect Workers from Violence

Workplace violence is a serious and growing problem. It’s time to act.

Working people deserve to go to work without the risk of violence on the job but too many workers are exposed to unsafe working conditions. Nurses, medical assistants, emergency responders and social workers face some of the greatest threats. A federal workplace violence standard is needed to protect workers in health care and social service settings from unnecessary injuries and deaths.

Workplace violence is foreseeable and preventable.

A workplace violence standard would require employers in the health care and social service sectors to develop and implement a plan to help protect their employees from workplace violence. Keeping workers safe on the job also will protect patients.

450

The number of homicides attributed to workplace violence in 2017.

22

The percent of work-related deaths among women which were workplace homicides.

80

The percent increase in the past decade in serious workplace violence injuries for workers in health care and social assistance.

4.7

Times more likely for health care and social service workers to suffer a workplace violence injury than other occupations.

With your help, we can protect workers from violence on the job.

Recently introduced legislation—The Workplace Violence prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R. 1309, S. 851)—would mandate an enforceable Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard to reduce and prevent foreseeable, serious and life-altering violence against workers in hospitals, nursing homes and social service settings.

Prevent Workplace Violence

The House of Representatives passed a bill that would provide urgently needed protections for health care and social services workers. Now it's time for the Senate to act. Tell your senator to support an OSHA workplace violence standard.

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