WASHINGTON STATE — Violence against healthcare workers is a growing concern, with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicating that these professionals are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than employees in other industries. A new law in Washington aims to address this issue.
Effective today, healthcare providers in Washington must conduct timely investigations of workplace violence incidents. They are also required to update their violence prevention plans annually based on these investigations and other systemic causes.
Communication between healthcare organizations and their safety committees is a crucial aspect of this legislation. The bill reports emphasize the importance of communicating all incidents to adjust procedures and ensure the safety of healthcare workers.
Governor Bob Ferguson, who signed the bill into law earlier this year with bipartisan support, highlighted workforce safety as the bill’s focal point.
In 2019, Washington State implemented a law requiring safety plans at healthcare centers to support workers facing violence. The new law, effective January 1, expands on this by making plans more adaptable. According to the bill report, safety committees can update policies yearly to meet current employee needs, potentially reducing the number of healthcare professionals leaving due to workplace violence.
Representative Mari Leavitt of the 28th District expressed her support for the law.
“We have a workforce shortage, in our health care fields. And having strong workforce plans, having our workers know that they are protected when they go to work, will incentivize other workers and folks who want to go into this field knowing that they, too, will be protected when they start off in their professions,” Leavitt said.
The law mandates that investigations cover any threat of physical assault or assault against healthcare employees at work. While the bill passed unanimously, some voiced concerns about the potential investigative burden of threats of verbal assault. However, proponents argue that both verbal and physical assaults should be investigated and reported.
