Follow up on ANA's request to support a letter to OSHA about workplace violence prevention standards

Earlier this month, we sent out a query regarding another ask from ANA. They were seeking support from each state in a letter to OSHA - here is an excerpt from the letter: "OSHA has a leading responsibility to mitigate this violence and its consequences. A mandatory OSHA standard requiring national reporting of these incidents is a vital first step in preventing them. Without the best data and evidence, employers and health care systems cannot create effective prevention strategies. OSHA’s 2016 voluntary guidelines lead employers through an evidence-based process to create internal reporting systems, risk assessments, and tailored prevention strategies that avoid “one-size-fits-all" solutions. However, OSHA released its guidelines over eight years ago, and it is still not common practice in most health care workplaces despite the alarming increase in violence rates." 

ANA's letter concludes with this statement: "Nurses across the country, providing care across all settings, need a national OSHA standard followed by effective enforcement. Nurses cannot continue to wait for this vital protection. It has been a year since OSHA began its rulemaking, we urge OSHA to rapidly finish this standard and release a proposed rule for public comment without further delay."

An overwhelming 88% of those who responded were in favor of supporting the ANA in this effort, so Idaho will join in signing the letter.

Thank you for participating; watch for additional opportunities to steer Idaho's response!