The "Safe Workplaces Act" directs OSHA to develop guidance on reducing workplace violence, informed by a NIOSH study, and tailored to various workplaces.
Joe Neguse
Representative
CO-2
The "Safe Workplaces Act" directs the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to study and report on reducing workplace violence. It requires the Secretary of Labor, through OSHA, to issue non-mandatory guidance on activities and work practices to reduce workplace violence, considering factors like engineering controls and environmental risks. The guidance will address unique characteristics and potential threats in various workplaces, such as retail stores, hospitals, and schools. The act defines key terms related to workplace violence, including "dangerous weapon," "engineering controls," and "environmental risk factors."
Feds Tasked with Tackling Workplace Violence: New Act Orders Study and OSHA Guidance for Stores, Hospitals, Schools
The Safe Workplaces Act sets a plan in motion to address violence on the job. First, it directs the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to study the problem and report back within 15 months with recommendations. Following that, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has four years to issue non-mandatory guidance aimed at helping employers reduce the threat of violence across various workplaces, specifically mentioning places like grocery stores, retail shops, movie theaters, hospitals, and schools.
Mapping Out Safer Work Zones
So, what kind of advice are we talking about? The bill specifies that OSHA's guidance should consider several key areas defined in the act. This includes 'engineering controls' – think physical changes like better lighting, secured work areas, electronic door access, or even weapon detectors. It also covers 'work practice controls,' which are procedures like ensuring adequate staffing levels, having security personnel present, and providing employee training on prevention, de-escalation, and how to respond if violence occurs. The guidance must also account for 'environmental risk factors,' such as working alone in isolated areas. For example, recommendations for a hospital might differ significantly from those for a retail store, focusing on the unique threats each faces.
Helpful Hints, Not Hard Rules
It's important to note the guidance OSHA develops will be non-mandatory. This means employers won't face new federal requirements or penalties based solely on whether they follow these specific recommendations. Instead, the goal is to provide research-backed best practices. The Act defines 'workplace violence' broadly to include actual physical force, threats causing fear (that serve no legitimate purpose), and the use of dangerous weapons, potentially resulting in injury or psychological harm. While the guidance aims to be helpful, its voluntary nature means the practical impact will depend on employers choosing to adopt the suggestions.