Mass. hearing spotlights S.1718 to require hospitals to adopt workplace-violence prevention programs

Senators and witnesses told the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security that violent assaults on hospital staff have risen and urged passage of S.1718, which would require hospitals to develop facility-specific risk assessments and comprehensive workplace-violence prevention programs.

Supporters said the bill combines prevention, reporting and enforcement elements crafted with labor and employers. Steve Walsh, president of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, told the committee: “What happens every 36 minutes in a Massachusetts hospital? … It's the assault of 1 of our workers every 36 minutes.”

The bill would require employers to engage the workforce in assessments and training, create regular reporting, and strengthen enforcement tied to Department…