Workplace Violence Prevention

UCSF Health is committed to providing a work environment that is free from harassment, violence, and threats of violence. Violence in the workplace is an occupational health and safety hazard that can cause physical and emotional harm. We believe physical and emotional safety is a right and responsibility of every person.  As such, UCSF instituted a new Workplace Violence Prevention Program in accordance with Cal OSHA's § 3342 - Violence Prevention in Healthcare regulation and The Joint Commission's Workplace Violence Prevention Standards. 

All UCSF Health staff are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. If you witness or experience violence or threats of violence while at work, take immediate precautions according to existing safety and security procedures, and report the incident as soon as possible using the RL Datix incident reporting system.

What is Workplace Violence?

1. The threat or use of physical force against an employee that results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, psychological trauma, or stress regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury
2. An incident involving the threat or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury

The Joint Commission Workplace Violence Standards, which went into effect in January 2022, now defines workplace violence as an act or threat occurring at the workplace that can include any of the following:

1. Verbal, nonverbal, written, or physical aggression
2. Threatening, intimidating, harassing, or humiliating words or actions
3. Bullying 
4. Sabotage
5. Sexual harassment 
6. Physical assaults
7. Other behaviors of concern involving staff, licensed practitioners, patients, or visitors.