Tackling violence and aggression
in the workplace
September 23 2002 - The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has produced a new resource for employers to help reduce
workplace violence and aggression in the workplace. The National Occupational
Standards in managing work-related violence are available for use by employers
to draw up policies on managing work-related violence. They also
provide a framework for both managers and staff to assess training needs.
According to the British Crime Survey there are an amazing
1.3 million incidents of work-related violence each year. They can result in
physical injuries as well as anxiety and stress for the people involved. The
low employee morale, high absenteeism, recruitment and staff turnover problems
and poor business image that result can also be serious for employers.
The HSE funded development of the standards by the Employment
National Training Organisation (NTO) as part of a three-year programme aimed
at cutting incidents of violence at work by 10 per cent by
the end of 2003. The programme is intended to raise awareness of the problem,
develop guidance for sectors most at risk, and commission research to build on
existing knowledge.
Ann Harrington, of HSE's Health Directorate, said:
"Violence at work is totally unacceptable and employers have a duty
under health and safety law to take action to tackle this problem,
which has devastating consequences on the victims, and real financial
costs for their employers.
"HSE is pleased to support these National Occupational Standards.
They have been produced in consultation with a wide range of industry
sectors and interest groups and will provide a comprehensive,
practical resource for all those who have an interest in tackling
work-related violence and aggression."
The Standards are aimed at a number of different occupational and
management roles, covering topics such as:
- how to investigate a violent incident in the workplace;
- developing procedures to control risks to health and safety; and
- making sure your actions contribute to a safe working environment.
Sheila Hawkins, who led the project on behalf of the Employment NTO
said:
"These standards will help to define good practice in managing
violence in any workplace and can be used to develop policies,
analyse incidents, specify training outcomes and evaluate the
effectiveness of training. We see these standards as a means to
reducing the likelihood of violence occurring - something of benefit
for everyone."
See also: .
HSE's general guidance leaflet "Violence at work, a guide for
employers", INDG69(rev), is available free for single copies and
priced packs of ten from HSE Books. Detailed priced guidance is also
available from HSE Books for the following sectors: health services,
education, retail and banks and building societies. A new
publication "Work-related violence, managing the risk in smaller
businesses", HSG229, is also available.
Copies of the National Occupational Standards in Managing
Work-related Violence CD-Rom price #32.50, are available from the
Employment NTO www.empnto.co.uk to purchase electronically, orderline
0116-251-9727.
Copies of Violence at work, a guide for employers", INDG69(rev), ISBN
0-7176-1271-6, are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury,
Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787-881165 or fax: 01787-313995. Priced
publications are also available from good booksellers.
|
Employee Relations
