Back in January, we posted about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (“OSHA”) intention to convene a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel (“SBAR Panel”). This Panel would help decide whether OSHA should enact a Prevention of Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance standard.

OSHA did convene the SBAR Panel, and now, small entities will share their thoughts on the proposed standard. The SBAR will host five webinar meetings over the next week. Small Entity Representatives (“SERs”) from the economic sectors that will be covered by the standard if it is enacted. SERs will share how they envision the standard would affect their respective workplaces’ functioning.

As stated on OSHA’s Workplace Violence SBREFA page, “healthcare and social assistance services have a common set of risk factors related to the unique relationship between the care provider and the patient, client, or their visitors” that increases the probability of nonfatal workplace violence. Covid-19 only worsened that reality: wait times for services became longer; resources grew scarce due to supply chain problems; and patients and clients had to endure isolation. This standard, if enacted, will have the objective of curbing workplace violence instigated by a customer, client, or patient.

Only SERs may speak during the meetings. However, anyone can join the panels in ‘listen only’ mode. For public access, visit the SBREFA page and click ‘Public Access’ on the righthand side.

The panel will release its final report on May 1. Interested parties may make comments here until May 14 using docket number OSHA-2016-0014. If you would like to submit a comment but need help with drafting, Husch Blackwell’s attorneys are ready to assist.

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Photo of Donna Pryor Donna Pryor

A member of Husch Blackwell’s Energy & Natural Resources group, Donna focuses on commercial and administrative litigation related to mine safety and occupational safety and health. She also assists clients in crisis management and strategic communications related to workplace health and safety issues.…

A member of Husch Blackwell’s Energy & Natural Resources group, Donna focuses on commercial and administrative litigation related to mine safety and occupational safety and health. She also assists clients in crisis management and strategic communications related to workplace health and safety issues.

Donna has extensive experience in the production of precious metals, aggregates, cement, industrial minerals, coal, salt, potash, phosphate, granite, limestone, and oil and gas. She combines her legal skills and government knowledge with her litigation prowess for clients facing complex problems.

Photo of Laura Higbee Laura Higbee

Laura relies on impressive research skills and an attention to detail to help her clients develop winning litigation strategies.

Laura leaves no stone unturned in her representation of clients involved in commercial litigation. As part of larger litigation teams, she helps clients and…

Laura relies on impressive research skills and an attention to detail to help her clients develop winning litigation strategies.

Laura leaves no stone unturned in her representation of clients involved in commercial litigation. As part of larger litigation teams, she helps clients and colleagues to synthesize complex data sets and to situate facts within applicable laws and regulations.

Laura’s clients also benefit from her experience with administrative law and procedure. She served as an intern with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Office of General Counsel, as well as serving as a clerk with both the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings and the D.C. Commission on Human Rights. While at the EEOC, Laura assessed amicus potential for recently appealed Title VII and Equal Pay Act (EPA) cases and researched multiple legal issues, including the tender back doctrine, gender identity as a form of sex discrimination, and previous salary as a factor other than sex under the EPA.