Title
Calling upon the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to recognize Secondary Traumatic Stress as a workplace hazard, recommend steps to address mental health injury as a psychological hazard in the workplace as they do with physical injury, and create a standard for Secondary Traumatic Stress.
Body
WHEREAS, The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created a public law "to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health; and for other purposes"; and
WHEREAS, Secondary Traumatic Stress ("STS"), defined as the emotional distress resulting when an individual hears or learns about the firsthand traumatic experience of another, also referred to as vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue or burnout, is a natural but disruptive byproduct for workers exposed to the trauma of others in the workplace and puts many types of professionals, such as first responders, police officers, physicians, nurses, teachers, child welfare workers, and other human services and behavioral health providers, at risk of developing its symptoms, including feelings of isolation, anxiety, dissociation, physical ailments, sleep difficulty, eating disturbance, intense negativity, difficulty coping, and for some, tragically, suicide; and
WHEREAS, 1910.3(a) "sets the parameters for someone to petition OSHA to set a standard: '1910.3 (a) Any interested person may petition in writing the Assistant Secretary of Labor to promulgate, modify, or revoke a standard. The petition should set forth the terms of substance of the rule desired, the effects thereof if promulgated, and the reasons therefor'" and recommends that the petition be sent to OSHA's Acting Assistant Secretary...
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