Human Service Workers Commends the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) for many of its findings in the death of Humans Service Worker Stephanie Moulton
WATERTOWN — SEIU Local 509, the Human Service Workers Union, commends OSHA for many of its findings in the death of Stephanie Moulton who was allegedly murdered by a mental health client. The report cites North Suffolk Mental Health Association’s (NSMHA) for “hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees”. OSHA gave corrective actions that must be addressed and fined NSMHA $7,000, which is the highest possible fine under current regulations. Jeffrey A. Erskine, OSHA’s area director in Andover stated that “This citation points to the clear and pressing need for this employer, and other employers in this industry, to develop a comprehensive and effective program to proactively address workplace violence situations that imperil the safety and health of their workers.”
While Stephanie Moulton’s death occurred in Revere, the same safety concerns are statewide. “Safety concerns and lack of oversight have left the entire community based mental health systems at risk.”, said Susan Tousignant, President SEIU Local 509. In fact, the concerns were so many, that just weeks prior to the death, SEIU Local 509 filed a bill (H1429) with the Legislator to create a Mental Health Oversight Commission to provide a top-to-bottom accountability of mental health services. Immediately after Moulton’s death, SEIU Local 509 held a vigil calling for a statewide review of the mental health system and memorializing Stephanie Moulton. The Department of Mental Health (DMH) heard the call to action and created the Safety Task Force, which did a thorough statewide safety review and provided necessary recommendations. While some of OSHA’s corrective actions were not consistent with community living, many of OSHA’s corrective actions were also identified by Safety Task Force. OSHA’s citation has clearly reinforced the need for systemic changes statewide as put forth by the Safety Task Force.
Human Service Workers know that people recovering from mental illness can and do live safely in the community with proper funding and supports. SEIU Local 509 views this citation reflective of breakdown in the system, and are not indicative that working with the mentally is inherently hazardous. In fact instances of violence involving the mentally ill are extremely rare, yet breakdowns in the system, create safety concerns for workers and adds stigma to the many people who are successfully recovering from mental illness.
OSHA’s citation lends further urgency to spur policy makers to implement the DMH Safety Task Force recommendations. “We look forward to implementing the Safety Task Force Recommendations to insure that this never happens again”, said Toby Fisher MBA MSW Senior Field Policy Specialist SEIU.
SEIU Local 509 is a labor union representing over 13,000 public and private sector human service workers across Massachusetts.
