April is recognized as Workplace Violence Awareness Month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Workplace violence is the act or threat of violence, ranging from verbal abuse to physical assaults directed toward persons at work or on duty. 76% of workplace violence incidents in 2020 occurred in healthcare and social assistance settings.

ODP has published a one-sheet document to assist provider organizations and other support professionals in establishing a workplace violence prevention plan based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers. Providers are encouraged to follow the guidelines to address incidents of workplace violence before they happen.