Res. No. 189
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass legislation to address the hazard of workplace violence.
By Council Members Jackson, Barron, Fidler, Foster, Gennaro, Recchia Jr., Liu and Nelson
Whereas, Workplace assaults and homicides are a serious public health problem; and
Whereas, An average of 1.7 million people were victims of violence while working or on duty in the United States, according to a report published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), each year from 1993 through 1999; and
Whereas, The potential for workplace violence presents a serious occupational hazard; and
Whereas, Workplace violence causes pain and suffering to victims, disruption to operations, and escalating workers’ compensation and related costs; and
Whereas, It is imperative that employers and workers evaluate their workplaces to determine the risk of violence and develop and implement programs to minimize such risk; and
Whereas, Workplace studies have shown that when employers evaluate the safety and health hazards in their workplaces and implement employee protection programs, the occurrence of workplace injuries is reduced; and
Whereas, The New York State Legislature currently has before it three bills that would address the prevention of workplace violence; and
Whereas, The Workplace Injury Disclosure and Accountability bill, A.9692 and S.6480, would require the president of the Civil Service Commission to prepare an annual report describing occupational injuries, illnesses and workers compensation experience in State agencies; and
Whereas, Such legislation would better enable effective monitoring of the occurrence of workplace violence in State agencies; and
Whereas, Legislative bills A.9691 and S.6441, also known as The Workplace Violence Prevention bill, would require public employers to develop and implement programs to prevent and minimize workplace violence; and
Whereas, The Judy Scanlon bill, A.2570 and S.207, would require that the commissioner of the Office of Mental Health direct that no employee in an outpatient program shall be required to enter the residence of a person with a serious mental illness unless such employee is accompanied by at least one other employee of the Office of Mental Health; and
Whereas, Public health, safety and welfare would be advanced by the enactment of laws designed to minimize the danger of workplace violence to employees; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass legislation to address the hazard of workplace violence.
LS# 561
HG
3/16/06