Section 49.19.020. Workplace violence plan—Security and safety assessment.

(1) By July 1, 2000, each health care setting shall develop and implement a plan to reasonably prevent and protect employees from violence at the setting. The plan shall address security considerations related to the following items, as appropriate to the particular setting, based upon the hazards identified in the assessment required under subsection (2) of this section:

(a) The physical attributes of the health care setting;

(b) Staffing, including security staffing;

(c) Personnel policies;

(d) First aid and emergency procedures;

(e) The reporting of violent acts; and

(f) Employee education and training.

(2) Before the development of the plan required under subsection (1) of this section, each health care setting shall conduct a security and safety assessment to identify existing or potential hazards for violence and determine the appropriate preventive action to be taken. The assessment shall include, but is not limited to, a measure of the frequency of, and an identification of the causes for and consequences of, violent acts at the setting during at least the preceding five years or for the years records are available for assessments involving home health, hospice, and home care agencies.

(3) In developing the plan required by subsection (1) of this section, the health care setting may consider any guidelines on violence in the workplace or in health care settings issued by the department of health, the department of social and health services, the department of labor and industries, the federal occupational safety and health administration, medicare, and health care setting accrediting organizations.

[ 1999 c 377 § 3.]

1999 c 377 § 3.