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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 12, 2017 02:26 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Todd Stephens |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Preventing Workplace Violence |
| Although I never imagined that this type of bill would be necessary, I am introducing legislation to authorize employers to implement safeguards against workplace violence - and to prevent municipalities from prohibiting those safeguards. As you may have heard from recent media reports, Philadelphia City Council is considering legislation to prohibit bullet-proof barriers for certain holders and applicants of a city food license. Many of these establishments are open late at night and employees have been targeted for crimes, such as armed robbery and sexual assault. To protect the employees, many responsible business owners have installed bullet-proof plexiglass barriers with windows or apertures, through which costumers are served. Notably, this type of barrier is specifically listed in OSHA’s workplace violence prevention recommendations for late-night retail establishments. My legislation will authorize employers to voluntarily create workplace violence prevention policies and/or implement safeguards for their employees (including the installation of barriers, security systems and other measures) – as long as those policies and safeguards are consistent with state and federal law. No employer wants their employees to be injured or killed as the result of workplace violence, and it’s absurd that any municipality would want to prevent employers from taking steps to protect their employees. Please join me by cosponsoring this legislation to ensure that employers have the right to implement lawful measures they believe are necessary for the safety of their employees. |
Introduced as HB2071