OSHA Issues Workplace Violence Guidance

On September 8, 2011, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued a directive establishing procedures for OSHA inspectors to follow when investigating workplace violence incidents. The “Enforcement Procedures for Investigating or Inspecting Incidents of Workplace Violence” highlights the steps that investigators should take in reviewing incidents of workplace violence when considering whether to initiate an inspection in industries that OSHA has identified as susceptible to this hazard.

The guidance identifies industries that OSHA considers high risk for workplace violence. Those industries include health care and social service settings and late night retail establishments. Although OSHA does not have enforcement authority specific to workplace violence risks, OSHA can issue citations to employers for violations of the “General Duty Clause” of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which requires employers to keep their employees safe from “recognized hazards.” With that in mind, employers in high risk industries, those with a history of workplace violence, or those with known threats of violence in the workplace should pay careful attention to this new OSHA directive.