Workplace Safety for SLPs in Health Care

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines workplace violence as any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening behavior directed toward individuals at work. Health care and social service workers experience workplace violence at rates 5 times higher than those in other industries (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024).

The following risk factors contribute to workplace violence:

• working in understaffed settings
• providing care in unpredictable environments (e.g., patient homes, emergency departments)
• working in a facility that offers limited security measures
• managing patients or family members who are experiencing emotional or psychological stress—or those with cognitive impairments

Incidents of workplace violence increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for stronger safety protocols and training (Zhang et al., 2023).

Here are some strategies to help reduce the risk of workplace violence:

• implementing and enforcing workplace violence prevention policies that are clearly posted and widely shared
• providing routine staff training on de-escalation techniques and personal safety
• conducting environmental risk assessments and improving security measures (e.g., panic buttons, cameras, and secure access areas)
• encouraging incident reporting and response systems that support staff without fear of retaliation
• promoting team-based approaches and adequate staffing to reduce isolation during patient care

Additional Resources

• Workplace Violence (OSHA)
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Home Healthcare Workers: How to Prevent Violence on the Job (NIOSH) [PDF]
• Violence Occupational Hazards in Hospitals (NIOSH)

In addition to workplace violence, conflict in the workplace can also pose challenges for SLPs in health care settings. Conflicts can emerge

• during interactions with patients and care partners;
• during interdisciplinary teamwork;
• as the result of administrative decisions; or,
• from the clinician’s internal stress.

Regardless of the source, effective conflict management is essential for maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive work environment.

Consider these strategies for managing workplace conflict:

• Clear communication—Set expectations early, and practice active listening to ensure that all voices are heard.
• De-escalation techniques—Use calm, non-confrontational language—including body language—to reduce tension.
  • See the Joint Commission’s De-Escalation in Health Care resource for more information on de-escalation techniques.
• Reporting procedures—Document incidents involving conflicts, and follow your facility’s policies for addressing conflict and safety concerns.
• Interprofessional collaboration—Encourage mutual respect and understanding among team members to reduce misunderstandings and foster teamwork.
• Leadership support—Involve trusted leaders or your human resources staff when you need additional support to resolve conflicts constructively.

SLPs can take steps to protect their health and safety in clinical environments. These steps include knowing

• environmental risks,
• ergonomic best practices, and (in some settings)
• radiation safety protocols.

Implementing consistent safety measures helps reduce risk of injury, illness, or long-term health consequences.

Several key practices support workplace safety:

• Infection control—Use proper hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and disinfection protocols to prevent the spread of infection.
• Ergonomic best practices—Reduce physical strain by using proper body mechanics when assisting patients, positioning equipment, or working at a desk.
• Radiation safety—SLPs involved in videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) are advised to follow radiation safety protocols, including
  • wearing lead aprons, thyroid shields, and other PPE recommended by facility radiation safety personnel;
  • standing behind protective barriers or maintaining the maximum feasible distance from the radiation source;
  • minimizing exposure time and ensuring that radiology staff properly calibrate and maintain equipment;
  • wearing radiation dosimeters as indicated by radiology staff; and,
  • completing facility-specific radiation safety training as indicated by radiology staff.
• Clinicians who are pregnant, breast- or chest-feeding, or have concerns about reproductive health and occupational radiation exposure can review the following resources:
  • Ionizing Radiation—Pregnant Workers (OSHA)
  • Ionizing Radiation in the Workplace (NIH)
• Environmental awareness—Be alert to potential hazards in clinical spaces such as wet floors, unsecured equipment, or cluttered hallways. Prompt reporting and resolution of these issues contribute to a safer workplace for all staff.
• Emergency preparedness—Familiarize yourself with facility emergency procedures—including evacuation routes, medical emergency protocols, and how to report safety concerns.
• Participation in workplace safety training—Engage in ongoing education focused on conflict de-escalation, workplace violence prevention, and crisis response to support a safer, more responsive work environment.

SLPs in health care settings may face high workloads, limited resources, and emotionally charged situations that can put their physical, psychological, and emotional safety at risk. For example, an SLP may feel pressure from a care partner who is pushing for treatment that the clinician believes is inappropriate for or potentially harmful to the patient. When SLPs are unable to act in alignment with their ethical judgment due to external demands, they may experience moral distress—which, over time, can lead to emotional exhaustion, moral injury, disengagement, or burnout.

SLPs can build resilience and reduce the risk of moral distress or burnout by developing personal and team-based strategies such as these:

• Ethical competence—Strengthen decision making through ongoing education and awareness of professional ethics.
• Open communication environments—Promote open dialogue and psychological safety within teams.
• Self-regulation and mindfulness—Use practices that enhance emotional awareness and reduce stress.
• Self-care—Prioritize mental and physical well-being.

Addressing these issues requires not only individual strategies but also institutional support, interprofessional collaboration, and regular opportunities for dialogue. These efforts help ensure that SLPs can advocate for patient-centered care while protecting their own well-being.

Visit Connecting Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists With Mental Health Resources for more information.

ASHA actively supports policies that promote safety for SLPs and other health care workers. ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda prioritizes workforce improvements aimed at addressing factors that hinder clinicians’ ability to provide effective, efficient care and that negatively affect clinicians’ health and well-being. These efforts include long-term, collaborative initiatives focused on pay, workload size, productivity expectations, and working conditions.

For more information on ASHA’s advocacy priorities, see Advocacy Priorities for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists.