More help for employers to tackle violence and aggression in the workplace

HSE Press Release E154:02 - 20 September 2002

A new resource for employers has been developed to help reduce violence and aggression in the workplace. The National Occupational Standards in managing work-related violence can be used by employers to draw up policies on managing work-related violence and also provide a framework for managers and staff to assess training needs.

The Standards are aimed at a range of different occupational and management roles. Among the topics they cover are 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.

There are 1.3 million incidents of work-related violence a year according to the British Crime Survey. These incidents can result in physical injuries or anxiety and stress for the people affected. They also have serious consequences for their employers who have to deal with the resulting poor staff morale, high absenteeism, recruitment and staff turnover problems and poor business image.

The Health and Safety Executive has funded the development of the standards by the Employment National Training Organisation (NTO) as part of the Health and Safety Commission's three-year programme which has a target to cut incidents of violence at work by 10 per cent by the end of 2003.

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."

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."

Notes to editors

1. Development of the National Occupational Standards is part of the Health and Safety Commission's three year programme to tackle work-related violence. The programme, which runs until the end of 2003, includes measures to raise awareness of the problem, development of guidance for sectors most at risk, and commissioning research to build on existing knowledge.

2. 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: http://www.ento.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 online at: http://books.hse.gov.uk

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