Violence
HSE launches new studies to help manage the risks of violence to lone workers
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a series of real life studies offering practical ways to reduce the threat of violence to lone and mobile workers.
The 19 case studies selected for this guidance cover the following sectors:
retail sales
health and care workers
security and enforcement
public transport
financial services
other service providers, including the self-employed.
The case studies form part of the Health and Safety Commission's (HSC) three-year programme to reduce the incidence of violent attacks on workers in this country. With 1.3 million violent attacks on workers each year, work-related violence can range from physical assaults to verbal abuse and threatening behaviour.
Key risks identified in becoming a victim of workplace violence include encountering:
drug and alcohol usage
work in certain geographical locations
work late at night or early in the morning.
Risk prevention measures to reduce situations potentially becoming violent include:
mobile phone systems
personal panic alarms
office systems tracking staff movements
doubling up with colleagues.
The case studies indicate many other practical and cost effective ways of tackling violence; often simple measures are the most efficient. The case studies intend to build on and illustrate the existing guidance published by HSE work related violence team.
View Work-Related Violence - Lone Worker Case Studies
Last update: Thursday, August 28, 2008