A report released on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Labor found the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System failed to protect its employees from serious violence.
The investigation revealed the Bob Stump VA Medical Center in Prescott exposed staff to assaults, including kicking, biting, hitting, punching, slapping, and sexual harassment by patients.
Federal law requires employers to maintain a workplace free of hazards that could cause harm. While federal agencies are not fined by OSHA, they must address and correct safety issues.
OSHA Area Director Zachary Barnett stated, “Healthcare workers face workplace violence more often than those in the private industry. The ongoing failures at the Bob Stump Medical Center are alarming, and immediate action is needed to protect staff from preventable harm.”