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Workplace violence — Maryland

Workplace violence can be any act of violence, against persons or property, threats, intimidation, harassment or other inappropriate, disruptive behavior that causes fear for personal safety at the worksite. Workplace violence can affect or involve employees, visitors, clients or customers. In addition to the basic moral value of keeping fellow workers safe from harm, increasing legal responsibilities (including directives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) make violence prevention and intervention a priority.

An employer’s responsibilities for preventing workplace violence

Employers have a duty to exercise reasonable care to protect employees against violent acts. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is typically thought of as an agency to protect workers in factories, manufacturing and construction industries. While this is true, workplace violence also falls under the OSH Act. Under the general duty clause of the OSH Act, every employer “shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employee.”

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