The Occupational Safety and Health Administration unveiled a new webpage developed to provide employers and workers with strategies and tools for preventing workplace violence in healthcare settings.

The webpage, part of OSHA’s Worker Safety in Hospitals website, complements the updated Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers, published earlier this year. The new webpage includes real-life examples from healthcare organizations that have incorporated successful workplace violence prevention programs, and models of how a workplace violence prevention program can complement and enhance an organization’s strategies for compliance and a culture of safety.

Similar to the guidelines, the new strategies and tools focus on workplace violence prevention programs that include elements such as management commitment and worker participation; worksite analysis and hazard identification; hazard prevention and control; safety and health training; and recordkeeping and program evaluation.

From 2002 to 2013, incidents of serious workplace violence were four times more common in healthcare than in private industry on average, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Healthcare accounts for nearly as many serious violent injuries as all other industries combined. The webpage addresses this issue by providing hospital administrators with information on the risk factors, associated costs and actions that can be taken to manage the problem.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.