Risk of Injury from Workplace Violence is Serious Issue in New Jersey and Nationwide

VOORHEES, NJ, November 15, 2011 (Press-News.org) Workplace violence is a serious issue in New Jersey and across the country. Recently adopted federal guidelines attempt to address the problem more comprehensively than in the past.

In September 2011, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the agency responsible for setting and enforcing standards for workplace safety, issued a directive entitled Policies and Procedures for Investigating and Inspecting Incidents of Workplace Violence. The new directive sheds light on how widespread the problem of workplace violence has become, identifies particularly dangerous industries, and illustrates the role safety agencies play in reducing or preventing personal injuries and death resulting from workplace violence.

Widespread Problem

The injury or even death of employees at work due to violence is a widespread phenomenon. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workplace violence is one of the four leading causes of injuries and deaths in the workplace in the U.S. This has been the case for at least the past 15 years. BLS data reveal that over 3,000 people died as a result of workplace violence between 2006-2010 and another 15,000 people suffered serious injuries.

OSHA reports that nearly two million people each year experience workplace violence. Testimony to Congress in 2002 showed that workplace violence causes employees to lose approximately $55 million in wages annually. Workplace violence costs employers as well, in lost productivity, insurance payments, and loss of public image.

Dangerous Industries

Incidents of workplace violence happen most frequently in industries where the employees interact with the public frequently or in high-crime areas. OSHA identified the healthcare, social service and late-night retail industries as particularly prone to incidents of workplace violence. One example of how dangerous the healthcare profession can be is that at a psychiatric hospital in Maine, an OSHA inspection revealed 90 incidents of patients assaulting hospital employees between 2008 and 2010. OSHA cited the hospital for not providing employees enough protections against incidents of workplace violence.

Role of Safety Agencies

OSHA and other safety agencies play a crucial role in helping to reduce and prevent fatalities and injuries from workplace violence. OSHA has training materials for employers to educate them on how to protect employees and help them create programs to prevent workplace violence. Additionally, OSHA has regulations for employers to follow to protect employees from workplace violence. OSHA has a workplace violence website, as well, to educate the public about the problem.

Going to work should not mean risking injury from an incident of violence. For the safety of their employees, employers need to take steps to keep their workplaces free from violence. If you have been injured at work, contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you seek compensation for your injuries.

New Jersey personal injury attorney, Daniel K. Newman has helped hundreds of individuals injured at work. Call 856-282-0182 or visit http://www.dkntriallaw.com for more information.