element b8 / 2 work related violence - ohs.me.uk
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Work Related Violence
HSE Definition
Any incident, in which a person is abused, threatened
or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work
Includes violence to employees at work by members
of public, when arises out of normal work activity
NOT when not at work – i.e. travelling to and from
work
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Work Related Violence
Physical violence
Incidents which:
Require first aid
Require medical assistance
Cause injury
Also:
Involves threat
Verbal abuse
Non verbal abuse – i.e. stalking
Other threatening behaviour
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Work Related Violence
HSE Extended Definition
Any incident where persons are abused, threatened,
assaulted in circumstances related to their work…
…involving an explicit or implicit challenge to their
safety, wellbeing, or health
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Effects
For organisation
Poor morale
Poor image
Poor retention of staff
Absenteeism
Higher premiums
Claims
For individual
Pain, distress, disability, death.
Affect health – mental anguish, stress, anxiety
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Prevalence
British Crime Survey (BCS)
Self reporting – defined categories
Shows a reduction on reported cases 2010
RIDDOR
HSE reports
23.4 per 100,000 employees
2010 - reduction
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Identification and Assessment
MHSWR Reg 3 and 4
Suitable and sufficient assessment of risks
Violence / aggression should be managed the same way as other hazards
5 steps
ID
Assess who and how
Evaluate level of risk and decide if precuations are adequate
Record findings
Review and revise
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Risk Identification
Staff surveys
First step of assessment
MGT perception my be different to employees
Informal discussion or more formal approach
Results of survey should be published to reassure
staff that the problem is recognised
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Risk Identification
Incident Reporting
Encouraged, records kept
Include verbal threats
Account of what happened
Details of victim, assailants, witnesses
Outcome, including lost time to individuals and organisation
as a whole
Location details
Prompt, full reporting should be encouraged and
expected
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Risk Identification
Incident Reporting
Classify incidents
Place
Potential Severity
Time
Who
Type
Possible causes
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Risk Identification
Incident Reporting
Examine to see if potentially more serious outcome:
Fatal injury
First aid
Counseling
Emotional trauma
Major injury
Out patient treatment
Lost time (days)
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Risk Assessment
Assess level of risk, decide on actions
Use data from identification of sources, patterns,
perceived hazard
Consider likelihood
Consider controls
Determine
general risk,
at risk activities,
at risk groups,
at risk individuals
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Risk Assessment
ID those at risk
Personal contact with public
ID potentially violent people in advance
ID patterns
Common areas or times
Consider existing controls
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Factors Likely to Increase Risk
General
Men / women = no difference
Age = younger more at risk
Working with public
Health care
Mental health, alcohol, drugs
Working alone
Outside normal hours
Teachers
Pupils, parents, other visitors
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Factors Likely to Increase Risk
Working alone
Only one person works on premises at a time
Separately from others
Factories, warehouse, etc
Outside normal hours
Cleaners, security, maint staff
Service workers
Collections, postal, social, care, drivers, field workers
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Factors Likely to Increase Risk
Home Visiting
Often done alone
At persons home – no controls
Could be others present
Presence of potential weapons
Handling money / valuables
Planned / opportunist theft
Violence and aggression
Drugs, medical supplies, mobile phone, laptop, company car
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Factors Likely to Increase Risk
Inspection / enforcement
Despite good intentions, seen in adversarial
perspective
Heightened tension
Retail / Licensed Trade
Money exchanged
Theft of goods
Night working
Drunk clients
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Physical Controls
Cash free systems
Design of public areas
Screens – difficult to communicate – increased
tension
Comfortable waiting areas
Plenty of info
CCTV / Security coded doors
Deterrent
Comfort and reassurance to workers
Panic Buttons, personal alarms
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Organisational Controls
Safe transport home arrangements
Those working exceptionally late
Communication systems
Shared info on at risk activities
Monitor staff whereabouts
And overdue
GPS
Mobile phones etc
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Behavioural Controls
Staff training
Theory
Prevention
Interaction
Post-incident action
Basic to advanced
Depending on needs
Body language, recognise situations, interpersonal skills to
defuse aggression
Keep records of training
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Legal Requirements
HASAWA
Includes to protect staff from violence
MHSWR
S+S R/A
RIDDOR
Report incidents
SRSC
Inform, consult with employees
EA 2010
Protection from harassment – “relevant protected characteristic”
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