Violence is never okay. This month’s Health and Safety Bulletin focuses on preventing and responding to workplace violence. The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety defines workplace violence as any violent act (including physical assaults and threats of assaults) directed toward persons on duty. Unfortunately, workplace violence is very common among EMS providers. A recent national survey of EMS providers conducted by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians found that 2 in 3 providers (67%) reported being physically assaulted and almost all (91%) providers reported being verbally assaulted at some point while practicing EMS. Violence should never be accepted as “part of the job.” Virginia Law dictates that any person who commits an assault or an assault and battery against an EMS provider may be charged with a Class 6 Felony.
Click here to check out this month’s Health and Safety Bulletin.
Click here to learn more how to report workplace violence.