Safe Workplaces Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2647
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Safe Workplaces Act (H.R. 2647) aims to enhance workplace safety by directing the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to develop voluntary guidance on preventing violence in various work settings. It focuses on reducing threats and incidents of violence without imposing mandatory rules.
Key Provisions
- Study Requirement: The Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, must conduct a study on strategies to reduce workplace violence threats.
- Report Submission: Within 15 months of the bill's enactment, NIOSH must deliver a report to the Secretary of Labor and relevant congressional committees (House Committee on Education and Labor; Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions). The report includes study findings and recommendations for the guidance.
- Guidance Issuance: Within 4 years of enactment, the Secretary of Labor, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), must issue nonmandatory guidance on activities and work practices to prevent workplace violence. This guidance must:
- Be tailored to different workplace types, such as grocery stores, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and manufacturing facilities, considering their unique risks.
- Incorporate the NIOSH report's recommendations.
- Address engineering controls (physical changes to reduce hazards, like locks or weapon detectors), dangerous weapons (any item capable of causing serious injury), and environmental risk factors (conditions like poor lighting or isolation that increase violence risks).
- Definitions Provided: The bill defines key terms for clarity:
- Dangerous weapon: Any instrument that can cause death or serious injury, regardless of its original purpose.
- Engineering controls: Built-in features or devices that eliminate hazards or create barriers, such as secure doors, CCTV, or alarm systems.
- Environmental risk factors: Workplace conditions that heighten violence risks, like isolated areas or lack of visibility.
- Threat of violence: Statements or actions causing reasonable fear of physical harm with no legitimate purpose.
- Work practice controls: Procedures to minimize risks, including staffing levels, security personnel, and training on de-escalation and incident response.
- Workplace violence: Any violent act or threat at work or during job duties (excluding lawful self-defense), including physical force, weapons, or psychological harm.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new requirements for a NIOSH study and OSHA guidance specifically targeted at workplace violence prevention, which builds on but expands existing OSHA voluntary guidelines. Unlike mandatory OSHA standards (which can be enforced with penalties), this guidance is explicitly nonmandatory, meaning it offers recommendations without legal compulsion or changes to enforcement powers. It does not alter current labor laws but provides a structured, updated framework for voluntary adoption.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NIOSH and OSHA will invest resources in the study and guidance development, potentially improving coordination on occupational safety. Congressional committees gain oversight through the report.
- Citizens and Workers: Employees in high-risk jobs may benefit from safer environments if employers voluntarily implement the guidance, reducing injury, stress, or trauma from violence.
- Employers and Businesses: Provides practical, sector-specific tools to enhance safety without regulatory costs, possibly lowering insurance premiums or absenteeism due to violence-related incidents.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. workplaces.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Employees and Workers: Particularly those in vulnerable sectors like healthcare (hospitals), retail (grocery and stores), education (schools and child care), hospitality (restaurants and bars), and public services (religious facilities, community centers).
- Employers and Businesses: Owners and managers across industries, who can adopt the voluntary measures to protect staff.
- Government Entities: DOL (via OSHA and NIOSH) for implementation; congressional committees for review.
- Safety Advocates and Unions: Groups focused on labor rights may use the guidance to push for better protections.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The nonmandatory nature avoids creating enforceable regulations, reducing potential challenges under administrative law. It clarifies exclusions (e.g., self-defense) to prevent misinterpretation of violence definitions.
- Constitutional: Neutral, as it does not infringe on rights like free speech or due process; focuses on voluntary safety enhancements without government overreach.
- Political: Addresses growing concerns about workplace violence (e.g., mass shootings or assaults) by promoting proactive measures, potentially appealing to bipartisan support for public safety without imposing burdens on businesses. As an introduced bill (not yet law), it signals congressional interest in occupational health updates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Safe Workplaces Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (6 pages)