Workplace violence prevention - Louisiana

Louisiana’s Act 461 creates requirements for health care employers to address, mitigate, and prevent violence against health care workers. The requirements include:

• Posting cautionary signs in health care facilities informing the public that abuse of or violence toward health care staff could result in a felony conviction.
• Developing a workplace violence prevention plan that includes:
  • Resources for ongoing education about workplace violence;
  • Resources for preventing workplace violence;
  • Resources for responding to incidents of workplace violence.
• Developing a training program that covers at least the following topics:
  • How to recognize potential violent situations;
  • When and how to seek assistance in response to violent incidents;
  • How to report violent incidents to law enforcement;
  • What resources are available to employees for coping with workplace violence.
• Implementing a system for assessing (at least annually) and improving upon factors that may contribute to workplace violence, including:
  • Staffing issues;
  • Security systems, alarms, emergency response systems, and availability of security personnel;
  • Job design, equipment, and facilities;
  • Security risks associated with specific units, locations with uncontrolled access, late night/early morning shifts, etc.
• Developing a written safety and security plan and making it available to employees at all times.
• Creating a system for reporting any incident of workplace violence to authorities. No employer may take retaliatory action against a person who, in good faith, reports an allegation or instance of workplace violence.

Related information

• Workplace violence prevention - ezExplanation
• Active shooter - ezExplanation
• Workplace violence in health care - ezExplanation
• Workplace violence in retail - ezExplanation

Citations

• La. R.S. 2199.11 to 2199.19
• 29 USC 654 — Duties of employers and employees (General Duty Clause)