Work related violence case studies

Market traders

This long-established busy street market in a major city, has traditional street stalls and open-fronted shops at either side. There is a local police office in the market street.

Key risks

• Disorder from groups of people who congregate in the area.
• Intimidation and abuse, including racial harassment.
• Physical assault as a result of moving on pickpockets, drug dealers and unlicensed traders.
• Theft of stock from stalls.
• Theft of cash from stalls or robbery when taking cash to the bank .

Reducing the risk

Training and information

• Stallholders share information about potential troublemakers in the area.
• Staff use non-threatening ways of dealing with troublemakers by:
  • not responding to threats or provocation;
  • approaching people with a friendly and relaxed expression;
  • giving people the opportunity to move away without further confrontation allowing them to ‘save face’);
  • in a verbal exchange, standing sideways to appear less threatening.

Work environment

• Stallholders ensure they avoid blind spots on or around their stalls.
• Valuable merchandise is kept out of reach of customers.
• Cash is kept in a secure place and stock not on display is kept secure.
• There are regular patrols by the police and the market inspector.

Job design

• Most stalls have more than one attendant and staff are increased at busy times.
• Stallholders watch over each other and neighbouring stalls.
• Staff move to the front of the stall at busy times, or when dealing with valuable goods.