Salem, OR – Oregon union leaders and workers are calling on lawmakers to implement stronger safeguards for employees working in dangerous environments, particularly in corrections, behavioral health, and other high-risk sectors. The push for change comes as a series of proposed bills, aimed at improving working conditions and worker safety, gain momentum in the 2025 legislative session.
Among the most prominent proposals is Senate Bill 24, which seeks to establish minimum staffing standards for healthcare workers in prisons. Another proposal, still in the works, would limit mandatory overtime for workers at the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) in group homes. Additionally, Senate Bill 606 would expand workers’ compensation benefits to include automatic coverage for post-traumatic stress (PTS)-related conditions for employees at the Oregon State Hospital and DHS group homes.
These proposals are supported by a survey conducted by the Oregon American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The survey, which included responses from over 500 workers, found that two-thirds had experienced physical violence, threats, or injury while on the job. Nearly half of the respondents—49%—reported feeling unsafe at work at least some of the time.
The survey’s findings were part of a broader report that highlighted the dangerous conditions faced by workers in sectors such as healthcare, law enforcement, and behavioral health settings, including the Oregon State Hospital. The report sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of employees working in isolation or in high-risk situations where public attention is scarce.
Joe Baessler, executive director of Oregon AFSCME, emphasized the need for urgent action to address these workplace hazards. “No one should work alone when they’re in a dangerous situation,” Baessler said at a news event where workers and legislators gathered to discuss the issue.
Several workers shared their personal accounts of unsafe conditions. Gillian Soderstrom, a former correctional officer at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution, recounted an incident during the 2020 wildfires when inmates from another prison were moved to her facility. At one point, Soderstrom found herself alone with 120 inmates in a unit that lacked cameras, and her radio battery died. She was forced to rely on some inmates to help ensure her safety during this critical period. The experience, which Soderstrom described as traumatic, led her to leave her position at the Oregon Department of Corrections, although she later returned in a different role.
David Lynch, a registered nurse at Oregon State Hospital, also spoke out about the dangerous conditions his colleagues face. He shared an account of being assaulted by a patient four years ago, which resulted in a concussion and months off work. Lynch emphasized the dangers of an overworked and understaffed system: “People who are overwhelmed cannot be vigilant,” he said.
At a news conference, lawmakers voiced their support for the proposed safety measures. Several highlighted that the issue of worker safety is multifaceted and requires a comprehensive response. Rep. Travis Nelson, D-Portland, who serves as vice chair of the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care, pointed to a pervasive culture of fear and danger in many facilities. “Health care workers have experienced kicks, bites, and beatings,” he said, reflecting on the dire state of safety in certain work environments.
Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem, chair of the Senate Health Care Committee, echoed these concerns, stressing the interconnected nature of the problem. She emphasized that reducing mandatory overtime and increasing staffing levels would make facilities safer and help retain skilled workers. “We need to ensure that the state has the ability to recruit and retain the kind of people who are working today,” Patterson said.
The proposed bills, along with ongoing recommendations from a task force established after the passage of House Bill 4002 in 2024, could be a significant step toward improving the safety of workers in these high-risk sectors. The task force has already recommended measures like written safety plans, safety training, and increased safety assessments for behavioral health workers.
As the 2025 legislative session continues, union leaders, workers, and lawmakers remain focused on the urgent need to safeguard the well-being of employees who work in dangerous conditions to protect and care for some of Oregon’s most vulnerable populations.
