While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration may cite employers for hazards associated with increased workplace violence risk, it surprisingly doesn't require employers to implement workplace violence prevention programs.

A recently released U.S. Government Accountability Office study on workplace violence in health care has recommended that OSHA "assist inspectors in developing citations, develop a policy for following up on hazard alert letters concerning workplace violence hazards in health care facilities, and assess its current efforts."  

OSHA has agreed with GAO's recommendations and plans to act to address them. However, health care is not the only industry facing workplace violence, and potential new standards could have broad application.