Violence - Keele University
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Welcome to

Department of Occupational Health and Safety

 

Department of Occupational Health and Safety

Violence

(Issued October 1999) 

'Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work' (HSE 1997).

Awareness of violence at work and the need for preventative measures has greatly increased over the last few years. In response, a number of research proposals and surveys were set up and conferences called to focus attention and pool knowledge. HSE 's Interdepartmental Committee on Violence to Staff was formed in 1984 as a result of a Trade Unions Congress (TUC) request to review the subject. The HSE's Education Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) which considers and advises on problems which may cause harm to the health and safety of all people working in the Education sector has published guidance which advises management and staff in the education sector on:

  • identifying potential risks of violence
  • formulating an action plan and statement of intent
  • recording incidents
  • preventive strategies and
  • supporting staff who are victims of violence.

The document lists some areas of special risk, for example 

Activity 

Staff 
Looking after premises Security staff 
Working alone All staff, students
Home visiting, professional placement practice Students and staff
Evening working All staff and students
Running licensed premises Bar staff 
Looking after money  Staff

The Law

There are five main pieces of health and safety law which relate to violence at work. These are:

  • The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
  • The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
  • The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) (Reporting can include any act of non-consensual physical violence done to a person at work)
  • Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977
  • The Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996.

Further reading

HSE's Violence in the Education Sector book can be downloaded free from their website

The University's Harassment Policy can be found on the HR website.