Overview to Workplace Violence in Health Care Settings

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines workplace violence as “violent acts (including physical assaults and threats of assaults) directed toward persons at work or on duty.” Because of this threat, OSHA encourages employers to establish violence prevention programs and to track their success in reducing work-related assaults. While not every incident can be prevented, many can, and the severity of injuries sustained by employees can be reduced.