The HSE urges employers to adopt a 'four-step management process' to control violence:
Stage 1: Carry out a violence risk assessment. This includes consulting with you, and keeping good records of incidents. Employers should assess the risk of violence by:
Staff surveys can highlight key safety hazards. In a survey of 12 shop robberies, USDAW, the shopworkers' union, found that they had all occurred between 5pm and 7pm. The results led to strengthened security and staff protection during late-night opening.
Stage 2: Decide if you might be might be harmed, and how. Preventive measures – the changes needed where you work to eliminate or reduce risks to acceptable levels – include:
Stage 3: Implement an action programme arising from the issues identified in the risk assessment. This includes training on safe systems of work, raising the level of safety awareness and encouraging you to report of incidents.
Stage 4: Regular checks should be made on working arrangements, through a health and safety committee and regular consultation with safety reps where a union is recognised. Your employers should monitor incident records and, if violence is still an issue, take further action.
The HSE's booklet, Work-related violence: managing the risks in smaller businesses, also offers guidance for small businesses, including shops, a pizza delivery service, a drugs drop-in centre and a night club.
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