Much-needed protections introduced for healthcare and social services workers

Most of us are able to just go to work and not worry about being assaulted. Some of us, however, aren’t so lucky. In 2013, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 23,000 work-related assaults, 70 percent of which occurred within the healthcare and social service industries. These workers are at a much higher risk for assault by the populations they serve, which is why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its guidelines to give these professionals more workplace protections. The guidelines are meant to focus on creating safer work environments.
The updates take aim at examining workplace violence risk factors in these industries and implement best practices to help minimize episodes. They also direct employers to craft a written policy to prevent these types of incidents. Policies should include language on management commitment and employee participation, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, safety and health training, and recordkeeping and program evaluation. These measures are long overdue for a group of workers who are four times as likely to be attacked at work. This is completely unacceptable for people who are charged with caring for our more vulnerable populations.
Every employee, regardless of his or her industry, deserves to work in a safe and hassle-free environment. Whether you’re a construction worker trying to avoid slips, trips and falls or a social worker engaging with emotionally volatile patients, it is the responsibility of your employer to create an atmosphere of safety.
If you’ve been injured at work due to the failure of your employer to maintain safety and proper protocol, you may very well have a bona fide workers’ compensation claim. An experienced attorney can help you get the damages and compensation to which you’re entitled.
The attorneys at Team Law have a long and successful history of helping our clients win maximum awards in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. Contact us today for a free consultation so we can hear your case and help you move forward in filing your claim.