Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Curb Rising Rates of Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Services

Healthcare and social service workers, including nurses, emergency responders, and medical assistants, face alarming rates of workplace violence, resulting in traumatic injuries and even fatalities. In response, bipartisan legislation has been reintroduced to address this crisis and protect these essential workers. The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, sponsored by Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), aims to curb the escalating threats and actual violence faced by these professionals.

Key Takeaways:

• The legislation would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue a workplace violence prevention standard, mandating healthcare and social service sector employers to create and implement tailored plans to prevent violence.
• Workplace violence remains a leading cause of traumatic injury and death in the United States, particularly in healthcare and social service settings, affecting over 80% of healthcare workers and 60% of social service workers.
• Leading organizations, including AFT, AFT Connecticut, National Nurses United, and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, strongly support this legislation.
• A total of 19 organizations have endorsed the bill, citing the need for addressable violent incidents and workplace safety.
• The legislation would address the pandemic's exacerbation of existing safety issues, ensuring healthcare and social service workers have a safe environment to care for patients and serve communities.

Statistics:

• Over 40% of all ASHA members work in healthcare settings that include hospitals, residential facilities, and non-residential settings.
• 1.4 million AFSCME members urge the House and Senate to pass the bill without delay.
• Extensive research shows that workplace violence is predictable and preventable.
• Health care settings are becoming increasingly violent, dangerous places to work, with many nurses not feeling secure to report their experiences.

Sources:

1. [Twitter - Congressman Joe Courtney](https://twitter.com/RepJoeCourtney)

2. [Senate Website - Senator Tammy Baldwin](https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/about)

3. AFT Connecticut - [AFT Connecticut Say on Workplace Violence Prevention](https://aflcio.org/afl-cio-and-partner-organizations-endorse-bipartisan-legislation-advance-workplace-violence-prevention)

4. National Nurses United - [Nurses Convention Against Workplace Violence](https://www.rntu.org/who-we-are/working-together-to-stop-workplace-violence/)

5. American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - [Workplace Violence Prevention for Healthcare and Social Services Workers](https://www.acoem.org/acoe-advocacy/acoem-supports-legislation-to-address-workplace-violence/)

6. AFGE - [AFGE Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Healthcare Workers](https://www.afge.org/2023/02/21/afge-supports-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-healthcare-workers/)

7. IAM - [IAM Supports Critical Legislation to Protect Healthcare Workers](https://www.iam118.org/press-releases/2023/03/08/iam-supports-critical-legislation-to-protect-healthcare-workers)

8. Emergency Nurses Association - [ENA Supports Legislation to Prevent Workplace Violence](https://www.ena.org/legislative-and-government-affairs/advocacy/2023-legislative-priorities/workplace-violence-prevention)