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Kildee Supports Legislation to Protect Michigan Health Care, Social Services Workers from Violence

April 16, 2021

Bipartisan Bill Would Require Workplace Violence Prevention Plans to Protect Michigan Frontline Workers

WASHINGTON—Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded the passage of theWorkplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Actin the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue standards for employers to implement violence prevention plans, which are proven to reduce workplace violence.

Last year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that health care and social service workers were nearly five times as likely to suffer a serious workplace violence injury than workers in other sectors, a trend that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased demand for their services.There is currently no enforceable OSHA standard that requires employers to adopt or implement a workplace violence prevention program.

"As a former social worker, I'm proud to support this legislation to protect the brave health care and social services workers who work tirelessly on the front lines of the pandemic to keep Michigan families and communities healthy," said Congressman Kildee. "This bipartisan bill helps ensure that these workers are protected in the workplace and get home safe at the end of the workday."

TheWorkplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Actwould:

  • Compel OSHA to issue a standard, requiring employers within the health care and social service sectors to develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan.
  • Require employers to investigate workplace violence incidents and risks and specify corrective solutions, provide training and education on workplace violence hazards and adopt policies that protect employees from retaliation for reporting violent incidents.
  • Protect health care and social service workers in the public sector in the 24 states not covered by OSHA protections.
The passage of theWorkplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Acttoday is the latest action taken by a Congressman Kildee to support workers and families and make Congress work for the people. In the last few months, the House has passed:
  • TheAmerican Rescue Plan,signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing immediate economic relief to Michigan families, seniors and small businesses with direct cash payments, accelerating vaccine distribution, extending small business relief and reopening schools safely.
  • H.R. 842, theProtecting the Right to Organize Act,to strengthen federal laws to protect workers' right to organize, negotiate wages and fight for fair working conditions.
  • H.R. 5, theEquality Act,to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations, education, federal funding, employment, housing and access to credit.
  • H.R.1620, theViolence Against Women Act Reauthorization, to end instances ofdomestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking by improving law enforcement responses to violence and funding local programs to support victims.