House passes bill to create OSHA workplace violence prevention standard

The House of Representatives today voted 251-158 to pass legislation (H.R. 1309) that would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a workplace violence prevention standard, and health care and social service employers to comply with the standard to participate in Medicare. OSHA currently provides voluntary guidelines for workplace violence prevention and may cite employers who fail to provide a workplace free from recognized serious hazards. The administration this week recommended the president veto the bill.