Work
related violence case studies
Nightclub
This city nightclub is licensed to hold just under 1000 people and opens
on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The club has a strong policy on
dealing with drugs on the premises and has a reputation as a ‘drugs-free’
zone. The club employs 50 staff - 16 act as stewards, with 10 patrolling inside the
club and at least 7 bar staff. A nurse is always on duty and 20 staff have been
trained in first aid.
Key risks
- Threats and abuse – from customers waiting to get into the
club.
- Assaults – staff may have to intervene in fights, or remove
troublemakers.
- Robbery – staff have to handle large amounts of cash.
- Sexual harassment.
Reducing the risk
Training and information
- Staff are trained to enforce strict control of customers entering
the club:
- admission limited to those who are sober and not under the influence of drugs;
- people are searched on admission, including use of a metal detector;
- licensed opening times are strictly enforced.
- Staff are trained to be non-provocative, and to let the stewards
handle difficult customers.
- Stewards are trained in customer service and how to remove or restrain with minimal force.
- Nightly briefings for stewards to exchange information on troublemakers and those banned from the premises.
- The club publicises its rules about immediate removal for fighting,
causing annoyance, being drunk or found in possession of drugs.
Work environment
- A raised cash desk to keep money out of sight.
- Low lighting used to provide intimacy but allow sufficient visibility.
- Emergency back-up lighting and tamper-proof switches installed.
- Some areas of the club are kept closed until the number of customers requires more supervised space.
- Visible CCTV cameras.
Job design
- Sufficient staff are always available to serve and control the customers.
- Empty glasses are collected promptly so they cannot be used as weapons.
- Uniformed stewards are deployed in high profile at key points,
and keep in contact visually and by radio.
