Society for Total Worker Health’s Post

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly two million U.S. workers are victims of workplace violence each year. This is an alarming statistic and data shows this number is not going to decline anytime soon. It’s critical to implement policies and procedures that help to protect your employees. Contact the Falcon to learn about our risk assessments and customized workplace violence training to ensure the safety of your most valuable asset, your people. #workplaceviolence #prevention #security #workplaceviolenceprevention

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly two million U.S. workers are victims of workplace violence each year. This is an alarming statistic and data shows this number is not going to decline anytime soon. It’s critical to implement policies and procedures that help to protect your employees. Contact the Falcon to learn about our risk assessments and customized workplace violence training to ensure the safety of your most valuable asset, your people. #workplaceviolence #prevention #security #WorkplaceViolencePrevention

A recently reported incident from 2022 serves as a stark reminder for employers that workplace violence and harassment are serious hazards, and the ramifications, whether driven by interpersonal conflicts, organizational dysfunction or external factors, can often resonate beyond the workplace.   Cristina Wendel and Jenny Wang discuss the importance of proactive prevention and intervention measures for creating safe and respectful workplaces and share practical tips that can help employers meet their workplace health and safety goals.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/eUiCv4Az

Workplace violence and harassment is a thing that needs addressing. Below are 6 tips that will help you meet workplace health and safety goals: https://lnkd.in/gHASX6CF

We at Quell are delighted to see the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) taking steps to raise awareness about Workplace Violence. For many of our clients, this issue has long been a taboo subject that has unfortunately been overlooked in recent years. While a new campaign is a positive start, true understanding of Workplace Violence and its related topics requires ongoing attention and a focus on the evolving risks faced by all sectors. In our experience, Workplace Violence is often downplayed or ignored, only coming into focus when a serious incident occurs. We urge you to read the article and consider the advice provided. It is essential to address Workplace Violence proactively rather than reactively. To further educate yourself on this important issue, we invite you to visit our Quell Training YouTube Channel for additional insights and guidance. Together, we can work towards creating safer work environments and fostering a culture of awareness and prevention when it comes to Workplace Violence. Thank you for your attention to this crucial matter.

OSHA Citation in Death of Home Health Worker Highlights Importance of Workplace Violence Prevention for Home-Based Care Providers The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) recently issued a citation (including nearly $164k in proposed penalties) against a home health care agency following investigation into the death of an LPN during an in-home visit. OSHA found that on the date of the incident, and prior to that date, the provider "exposed home healthcare employees to workplace violence from patients who exhibited aggressive behavior and were known to pose a risk to others." Workplace violence long has been a risk faced by in-home caregivers (one I have previously posted about), and it is critical for home-based care providers to establish and maintain workplace violence prevention programs to mitigate that risk. Among other things, providers should heed OSHA's recommendations for steps the home health care agency could have taken to reduce the risk of workplace violence, including: - performing root cause analyses on incidents of violence and near misses; - providing clinicians with comprehensive background information on patients prior to home visits; - providing emergency panic alert buttons to clinicians; and - developing procedures for the use of safety escorts for visits to patients with high-risk behaviors. One additional advantage for home-based care providers who take meaningful steps to address the risk of workplace violence: a demonstrable workplace violence prevention program provides a powerful tool for caregiver recruitment and retention amidst the ongoing staffing crisis. #homecare #homehealthcare #workplaceviolence https://lnkd.in/emBdHfsn

We need your help! Please consider writing testimony to email in to the RI House Labor Committee - let's get this passed so RI becomes the first state in the country with the WPSA on the books!! (If you need a template for your testimony let me know - I am happy to share mine you can tailor)

Acts of violence are now the third-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the U.S. According to OSHA, 2 million US workers experience workplace violence, including both physical violence + harassment, as well as intimidation + threats. A study indicates one in four employees witnessed workplace violence in the last five years + 12% were the target of violence. Research has shown a correlation between workplace violence—including harassment—and mental health. If not addressed, continued workplace violence can make workers feel anxious or unsafe, but can also cause anxiety about reporting misconduct, due to fear of retaliation. One-third of employees would report harassment or other misconduct only if they could do so anonymously. HR departments, however, have conflicting roles as the internal department of a company of both keeping workers safe but also minimizing liability for management. It's time to check if your workplace has a workplace violence policy. Over 70% of US workplaces do not have a formal program or policy that addresses workplace violence, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Read more:

Employee “safety” should not be a taboo issue. Employee wellbeing, which includes employee safey should be at the forefront of every organization. Employees should come to work knowing and feeling that at least their organization prioritizes their physical, emotional and occupational safety. I’ve witnessed and been privy to many incidents of workplace violence and many of these unfortunate occurrences could’ve been prevented. Emotional violence, physical violence, bullying and harassment have no place in our society, much less our workplaces. Collectively, we must reimagine the landscape of work, healthy work, safe work and hold organizations accountable to foster healthy cultures, that routinely practice in name and deed, employee wellness. Anything less can prove to be “fatal.” Literally and figuratively…

Better Working Lives For All will be reaching out to Conor O'Brien CEO of the Health and Safety Authority for a detailed breakdown of the 10,000 workplace inspections conducted. We are particularly interested in the cases where individuals, like myself, reported severe bullying (previous employer) and had to go to extraordinary lengths to get any action taken. Our condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives due to workplace accidents. I am firmly convinced of the need for support and will be writing once again to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to request funding for a dedicated helpline for those affected by psychological issues at work as well as a change in legislation for well founded cases within the Workplace Relations Commission along with appropriate remedies. #WorkplaceSafety #MentalHealthAtWork #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceBullying #SupportAndCare #BetterWorkingLives #SafetyFirst #WorkplaceInspections #MentalHealthSupport #HelplineFunding