Cal-OSHA Proposes Regulations to Prevent Workplace Violence
The California Department of Occupational Safety and Health has proposed new regulations that aim to prevent workplace violence in the healthcare industry.
According to Cal-OSHA, workplace violence-related injuries occur three times more in the health and social assistance sectors than in the overall private sector.
The proposed regulations would implement a state bill (SB 1299) passed last year. They would cover workplace safety for workers in home health, home-based hospice, outpatient medical offices, paramedic and emergency medical services, and other health facilities. Under the regulations, employers would be required to implement:
- Ways to identify risk factors;
- Investigation and response procedures;
- Procedures for correcting violence hazards.
Employees also would have to be involved in the development, implementation and review of the workplace violence prevention plans. In addition, employers must provide violence-prevention training for all employees.
Cal-OSHA will hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations on Dec. 17.
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