On December 7, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration published a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit information on a potential standard to prevent workplace violence in healthcare and social assistance settings. The RFI also solicits more detailed information on topics such as effective strategies for reducing incidents of violence in various healthcare and social assistance settings. Comments and materials may be submitted electronically to www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal, or via mail, facsimile or hand delivery. Read the Request for Information for submission details. The submission deadline is April 6, 2017.

OSHA held a public meeting on Jan. 10 for interested parties to comment on the need for a standard to prevent workplace violence in healthcare and social assistance. This meeting was intended to supplement written comments by allowing workers to tell of their personal experiences with workplace violence as well as allowing for discussion among stakeholders.