Affiliations: Safety and Health Assessment and Research for
Prevention Program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, WA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Michael Foley, Safety and Health
Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program, Washington State
Department of Labor and Industries, PO Box 44330, Olympia, WA 98504-4330, USA.
Tel.: +1 360 902 5429; Fax: +1 360 902 5672; E-mail: folm235@lni.wa.gov
Abstract: Objectives: This study reports trends in the pattern of injuries
related to workplace violence over the period 1997–2007. It tracks occupations
and industries at elevated risk of workplace violence with a special focus on
the persistently high claims rates among healthcare and social assistance
workers. Methods: Industry and occupational incidence rates were
calculated using workers' compensation and employment security data from
Washington State. Results: Violence-related claims rates among certain
Healthcare and Social Assistance industries remained particularly high.
Incidents where workers were injured by clients or patients predominated. By
contrast, claims rates in retail trade have fallen substantially. Conclusions: Progress to reduce violence has been made in most of the highest
hazard industries within the Healthcare and Social Assistance sector with the
notable exception of psychiatric hospitals and facilities caring for the
developmentally disabled. State legislation requiring healthcare workplaces to
address hazards for workplace violence has had mixed results. Insufficient
staffing, inadequate violence prevention training and sporadic management
attention are seen as the key barriers to violence prevention in
healthcare/social assistance workplaces.
Keywords: Assault injury, health care, occupational safety, surveillance
