Connecticut Health Care Employers Must Protect Employees from Workplace Violence

A new law in Connecticut requires health care employers to develop and implement plans, policies and training programs aimed at preventing and responding to workplace violence. Public Act No. 11-175. The law takes effect on Oct. 1, 2011 and applies to health care employers with 50 employees (full-time or part-time).

The law requires that health care employers establish a workplace safety committee and conduct an annual work violence risk assessment. Health care employers are required to work with the workplace safety committee to develop and implement a written workplace violence prevention and response plan based on the findings of the risk assessment. Health care employers must, to the extent practicable, then adjust patient care assignments if requested by an employee as a result of a patient who intentionally physically abused or threatened that employee. Covered employers must also maintain detailed records on incidents of workplace violence and are required to report certain incidents of workplace violence against a health care employee performing his or her job duties to the employer’s local law enforcement agency within 24 hours after the incident.

Health care employers in Connecticut should review their policies and procedures on workplace violence to ensure compliance with the new law prior to Oct. 1, 2011.