Assaults at work increased more than half
Date: 27th January 2010
The number of physical assaults on workers last year rose by 57%, according to the latest results from the British Crime Survey for 2008-09.
Workers in England and Wales suffered an estimated 627,000 incidents of violence at work during the year, comprising 321,000 assaults and 305,000 threats. Alongside a fall in the number of threats from 352,000 incidents in 2007-08, the number of assaults rose by 117,000 from 204,000.
This illustrates the need to implement a system to protect people in the workplace. Lone workers are at particular risk from assault simply as they cannot call for help.
Violence at work full report from the HSE
The HSE defines a lone worker as: " Those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision"
This includes:
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People in fixed establishment
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People working separately from others, eg in factories, warehouses, some research and training establishments, leisure centres or fairgrounds
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People working outside normal hours, eg cleaners and security, production, maintenance or repair staff
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Mobile workers working away from their fixed base
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Workers involved in construction, plant installation, maintenance and cleaning work, electrical repairs, lift repairs, painting and decorating or vehicle recovery
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Agricultural and forestry workers
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Service workers, eg rent collectors, postal staff, social workers, home helps, doctors, district nurses, pest control workers, drivers, engineers, architects, estate agents, sales representatives and similar professionals visiting domestic and commercial premises
Peoplesafe are experts in lone working. Call 01909560912 or email sales@peoplesafe.co.uk to find out how we can help your staff