Oregon fines mental health facility after workers suffer hundreds of attacks

Workplace regulators have fined the Unity Center for Behavioral Health $1,650 for failing to take steps to prevent future assaults


Oregon workplace regulators have fined Portland's Unity Center for Behavioral Health $1,650 for failing to take steps to prevent future assaults on employees by patients with mental illness, according to an article on The Oregonian website.

An investigation by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHA) has found that Unity has violated four safety rules and regulations. 

OSHA found that Unity has failed to properly log, document or investigate some of the roughly 300 assaults suffered by employees in the first seven months of operation, according to the state investigation.

During interviews, some employees told OSHA investigators they wouldn’t report minor assaults such as a punch in the face because they didn’t want to appear to be complainers or feared that they might be viewed negatively by administration. Others said they hadn’t noticed safety changes after previous reports of assaults were made, so they didn’t bother reporting new assaults, according to the OSHA report.

Read the article.

 

 



April 5, 2018


Topic Area: Security


Recent Posts

Sprinkler Compliance: Navigating Code Mandates, Renovation Triggers and Patient Safety

As CMS deadlines approach and renovation projects accelerate, healthcare facility managers must understand how NFPA 101, state fire codes and sprinkler design strategies intersect.


MUSC Board of Trustees Approves $1.1B South Carolina Cancer Hospital

Research and education are intentionally embedded in the hospital’s design, with dedicated spaces for scientific collaboration, clinical investigation and training.


Study Outlines Hand Hygiene Guidelines for EVS Staff

Researchers find that current guidelines for hand hygiene don’t include EVS workers and suggest indicators to fill that gap.


McCarthy Completes $65M Sharp Rees-Stealy Kearny Mesa MOB Modernization

The completed tenant improvement includes approximately 100,000 square feet of improved space across two buildings and represents an investment of $65 million.


Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Opens St. Petersburg Bayfront Location

The new FCS St. Petersburg Bayfront facility encompasses more than 31,000 square feet.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.