Latest news with #SenateBill1260
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New state law aims to protect health care workers from workplace violence
(WAVY) — A new bill taking effect this summer aims to prevent workplace violence against healthcare workers. There have been several incidents over the years of patients acting aggressively towards people who are there to provide help. This new law would give them a helping hand. Sentara Health is actually ahead of the game, having implemented several procedures back in 2022 to guard against workplace violence, or even prevent it. 'It's something that our staff deal with almost on a daily basis,' said Stephen Hollowell, senior director of systemwide security at Sentara Health. The new state law is needed, Hollowell said. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states healthcare workers are five times more likely to be injured in workplace violence than those in any other sector — '[people] who get assaulted, punched, bitten, kicked. We're dealing, a lot of times with people at their lowest point and we have some tremendous, dedicated staff here,' Hollowell said. 'And the irony is, they're the ones that get assaulted.' Senate Bill 1260 states hospitals in the Commonwealth shall establish a workplace violence incident reporting system, record all incidents and adopt a policy that prohibits anyone from discriminating or retaliating against employees who report the incidents. 'We're having our officers trained to carry and utilize tasers where appropriate,' Hollowell said. They've also implemented a line of questioning to see if a subject displays signs of aggression. And they also have new hardware. 'By the end of this month, … 16 of our 17 [emergency departments] will have weapons detection systems,' Hollowell said. He says it's unfortunate legislative action has been needed to combat the violence. 'Unfortunately, given the level of violence we've seen in this country, it's a necessary way of moving forward,' Hollowell said. He said the state needs to take the next step and make any violence against healthcare workers a felony in the eyes of the law. Georgia passed a bill in 2023 that did just that. Virginia's law will take effect July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Virginia's New Workplace Violence Prevention Law: Silent Beacon Offers Compliance Solution
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective July 1, 2025, Virginia's new Workplace Violence Prevention Law, encompassing Senate Bill 1260 and House Bill 2269, mandates that healthcare employers implement comprehensive systems to document, track, and analyze incidents of workplace violence. This legislation requires clear communication of reporting procedures to all employees, including guidelines on when and how to report incidents. Additionally, employers must adopt policies prohibiting retaliation against employees who report workplace violence. Silent Beacon's Enterprise Safety Solution helps ensure that healthcare organizations in Virginia meet the requirements of the new workplace violence law. Healthcare providers need to act now to ensure compliance. Visit our website to learn more about how Silent Beacon can help your organization meet these critical new legal requirements and safeguard your employees with our panic button system . "We understand the complexities of complying with the new Virginia workplace violence legislation," said the CEO of Silent Beacon, Kenny Kelley. "Silent Beacon's Enterprise Safety Solution offers a streamlined approach to managing the documentation, tracking, and analysis mandated by the law (Senate Bill 1260 and House Bill 2269), thereby minimizing disruption and maximizing the protection of healthcare workers. We're confident that our solution will empower healthcare organizations to create safer and more secure environments for their employees." Silent Beacon's Enterprise Safety Solution offers a streamlined approach to managing and preventing workplace violence incidents. The solution facilitates the swift identification, detailed documentation, and insightful analysis of such events, enabling healthcare organizations to meet the stringent demands of the new Virginia law. Key features of the solution include: Immediate Incident Reporting : Silent Beacon's wearable panic button enables healthcare workers to discreetly and promptly alert security or emergency services during incidents, facilitating real-time documentation and response. Comprehensive Data Collection and Analysis : The system's centralized dashboard records detailed information about each incident, including time, location, and nature of the event, aiding in the analysis of trends and development of prevention strategies. Employee Training and Communication : Silent Beacon provides tools and resources to educate staff on the use of the panic button system and the importance of reporting workplace violence, aligning with the law's emphasis on employee awareness and training. "90% of our work is out in the community, doing home visits. They're in the same locations that are very unfamiliar to them. It has the capability with the push of a button to call 911 and it can be pretty discreet," said Traci Pekovitch, LPC, Mandatory Outpatient Coordinator at Mental Health Cooperative about the Silent Beacon panic buttons . "That makes a big difference in how safe our team feels." The new Virginia law underscores the critical need for robust systems to prevent and manage workplace violence in healthcare settings. Failing to comply can result in significant penalties and reputational damage. Silent Beacon's Enterprise Safety Solution provides a comprehensive and efficient way to address these challenges. The solution helps organizations not only meet legal obligations but also foster a safer, more supportive work environment for healthcare professionals. This proactive approach to workplace safety is essential for attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive industry. To learn more about Silent Beacon's Enterprise Safety Solution and how it can help your healthcare organization comply with the new Virginia workplace violence prevention law, get in touch today . Media Contact: RJ Atkisson Lead Digital Marketing Specialist rj@ +1 (443)-771-1161 Silent Beacon is a leading provider of enterprise-grade safety solutions, specializing in panic button technology designed to enhance workforce safety. Our cutting-edge Enterprise Safety Solution empowers businesses across industries—including healthcare, education, hospitality, retail, and corporate environments—with scalable tools to respond instantly to emergencies and comply with new safety regulations. In addition to our mass alert portal and cloud-based dashboard, at the core of our platform is the Silent Beacon 2.0 panic button: a discreet, wearable device that enables immediate two-way communication, live GPS tracking, and customizable alert routing—all without monthly service fees. Whether deployed across a small team or a national organization, Silent Beacon helps businesses meet compliance requirements, improve incident response times, and prioritize peace of mind. Trusted by enterprises, healthcare organizations, and non-profits nationwide, Silent Beacon is redefining workplace safety with reliable, easy-to-use solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing protocols. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Silent Beacon Sign in to access your portfolio
