A new federal program to address workplace violence could cost the nursing home sector $177 million.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) released a document Monday detailing assessment and compliance costs. If enacted, the report states that on average, nursing homes would have to pay $10,000 annually afterward to sustain the programs.
“The standard would help ensure that covered employers take the necessary steps to protect employees from workplace violence and are appropriately prepared for emergency incidents,” the agency stated.
Back in 2016, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report summarizing its investigation of OSHA’s efforts to protect healthcare workers from workplace violence. The GAO report made a number of recommendations to the agency, including considering whether developing a workplace violence standard would be necessary.
Earlier this year, OSHA indicated that the regulatory framework would be designed around violence prevention programs and hazards assessments, control measures, training and incident investigation and record keeping.
“OSHA believes this approach would provide more flexibility with decreased training requirements, and more flexibility in the required engineering and administrative controls for establishments with lower rates of WPV,” the agency stated. “Employers would have flexibility to tailor the plan and its implementation to specific workplace conditions and hazards.”
After years of high employee turnover, skilled nursing operators are trying a variety of new programs to retain workers, including raises, more flexible scheduling, and the creation of career paths. Developing higher anti-violence workplace standards may also help retain healthcare workers.
“If you can keep someone there for three months, the chance of their turnover goes way, way down,” Chris Magleby, CEO of Pinnacle Quality Insight, told Skilled Nursing News. “Then if you can keep them through six months, you’re pretty much set after that point.”
OSHA’s draft report shares details of the costs involved in implementing its proposed initiatives.
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