Healthcare Workers at Greatest Risk of Workplace Violence

Data shows that 69% of physical workplace violence assaults and 71% of non-physical workplace violence assaults are reported in the healthcare and social service industries. These numbers are largely due to employees’ close interactions with the public, limited staffing, and little workplace protection.

Due to the high number of incidents, workplace violence remains a primary concern for roughly 15 million healthcare workers in the United States, according to a study by the Government of Accountability Office.

Overall, 75% of all workplace violence incidents that happen each year in the United States involve healthcare professionals. A recent study revealed that as many as one in four nurses are physically assaulted on the job. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, hospitals are one of the most dangerous workplaces in the United States. Hospitals alone recorded more than 221,000 work-related injuries in 2019, according to OSHA.