Behavioral Health Facility Cited Again for Safety Lapses Following Employee Injury

Behavioral Health Facility Cited Again for Safety Lapses Following Employee Injury

Circles of Care Inc. faces $101,000 in proposed OSHA penalties.

OSHA has cited Circles of Care Inc. for failing to protect its employees from patient violence, following an investigation into an incident at a Melbourne, Florida facility.

According to a recent release, the investigation launched after a mental health technician was attacked by a patient on November 7, 2023, resulting in serious injuries. OSHA found that Circles of Care failed to provide adequate safeguards to prevent such incidents and cited the company for a repeat violation. The company was also cited for failing to report the employee’s hospitalization within 24 hours, as required by law.

As a result, Circles of Care —which operates 10 psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities across Florida—now faces $101,000 in proposed OSHA penalties for these violations. This marks the third time in five years that the company has been cited for safety lapses resulting in serious employee injuries or fatalities.

“Circles of Care’s reluctance to protect its employees from the recognized danger of patient assault is shocking, OSHA Area Office Director Erin Sanchez in Orlando said in a statement. “These attacks often occur suddenly and swiftly, causing serious and, as we’ve seen, fatal harm to workers and leaving their co-workers traumatized.”

Circles of Care Inc. now has 15 business days to comply with the citations and penalties, request an informal conference or contest the agency’s findings.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

Product Showcase

  • Preventative Heat Safety

    Dehydration and heat exposure impair physical and cognitive performance. Proper hydration boosts heat stress resilience, but hydration needs are highly individualized and hard to predict across a workforce. Connected Hydration® empowers industrial athletes to stay safe through behavioral interventions, informed by sports science, and equips safety teams with critical insights to anticipate high-risk situations and adapt to evolving environmental factors. Curious about applying the latest in sports science based hydration strategies for industrial athletes? Stop by booth #1112 at AIHA or schedule a free demo today at https://epcr.cc/demo. Read More

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

  • HAZ LO HEADLAMPS

    With alkaline or rechargeable options, these safety rated, Class 1, Div. 1 Headlamps provide long runtime with both spot and flood options in the same light. Work safely and avoid trip hazards with flexible hands-free lighting from Streamlight. Read More

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars