Scott, Murray, Wilson and Courtney Unveil New Report on Workplace Violence against Healthcare Workers
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) and U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) unveiled the findings of a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on actions needed to reduce and mitigate the incidence of workplace violence in healthcare facilities. Although healthcare facilities are perceived as a place to get well, many who are employed in these facilities face elevated risk of injury from violence—mostly originating from patients.
“Today’s GAO report documents a significant problem of violent assaults to workers employed in healthcare facilities and urges OSHA to take further action to help prevent injuries,” Committee on Education & the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03). “While GAO has identified a number of states that are tackling this problem through an enforceable rule, OSHA has only issued voluntary guidance. It is clear to me that OSHA should move forward and develop an enforceable violence prevention standard to help protect our nation’s healthcare workers. Injuries requiring days away from work are financially and emotionally costly for both employers and workers, and these avoidable injuries put pressure on working families to do more with less.”
“No worker should ever have to fear facing violence on the job,” said Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA). “Unfortunately, as this report makes clear, for far too many healthcare workers in my home state of Washington and across the country, workplace violence and injuries are a real and growing threat. This is unacceptable. These professionals do vital work in hospitals and other health settings to care for our loved ones, our neighbors, and our communities. I’m going to be working hard with my colleagues and stakeholders to help create a strong, national standard that protects our workers once and for all.”
“We have known for some time that our healthcare workers face unique challenges and risks to their personal safety as the new GAO report makes clear,” said Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02). “During my time as the ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, in 2013 I requested this report from GAO, along with former Congressman George Miller, after hearing about shocking instances of workplace violence against healthcare workers in Connecticut, and from across the country. With 15 million people working in the healthcare sector, these workers make up a significant portion of our national workforce, and we need OSHA using all of the resources within its power to provide a safe and secure workplace for America’s healthcare professionals.”
“The millions of American healthcare workers, including those in my home state of Florida, who want nothing more than to put in a hard day’s work and provide for themselves and their families deserve the protection of all the tools at OSHA’s disposal.” said Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24). “As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, I support putting in place a standard to decrease the unacceptable level of workplace violence experienced by our healthcare professionals. I join my colleagues in calling for a workplace standard to help protect the men and women working at the front lines of our nation’s healthcare facilities.”
Federal injury data show that the rate of workplace violence at healthcare facilities is high and the severity is intensifying; at some psychiatric facilities the rates of violence are extreme; and that many injuries can be prevented or mitigated through workplace violence prevention programs. GAO conducted this study over the course of nearly two years, interviewed healthcare workers in five states, and evaluated OSHA’s efforts to protect healthcare workers from workplace violence.
FACT SHEET: Additional Efforts Needed to Help Protect Healthcare Workers from Workplace Violence
REPORT: Additional Efforts Needed to Help Protect Healthcare Workers from Workplace Violence
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Press Contact
Arika Trim (Scott): 202-226-0853
Helen Hare (Murray): 202-224-5398
Tim Brown (Courtney): 202-225-2076
Joyce Jones (Wilson): 202-225-4506
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