Threat of violence at work
Violence at work refers to situations where employees are insulted verbally or physically, threatened or assaulted in work-related conditions and which directly or indirectly endanger the safety, health or well-being of the employees.
Violence is not acceptable in any form: not from clients, colleagues or external parties. Violence can also be targeted indirectly at the employee’s family or loved ones.
Violent incidents or even just situations with a threat of violence are situations for which each workplace should have clear procedures in place regarding their anticipation, management of acute situations and the aftercare.
Violence at work or the threat of it impacts the physical and mental well-being of employees, their ability to cope, and thereby their health and well-being.
If an employee is assaulted at work, the employer must immediately submit a criminal report of this. A serious occupational accident must also be reported to the occupational safety and health authorities.
Assessing threats and preparing for them
Assessing the threat of violence and preparing for it is part of the legislated hazard and risk assessment at workplaces. Violence at work and the threat of it can be managed, when these issues are taken into consideration and anticipated and when they are understood to be part of the employer’s occupational safety and health (OSH) responsibilities.
A systematic risk assessment is needed when designing the work facilities and their changes, based on which the preventative measures needed for managing the threat of violence must also be implemented, along with the communication and alarm systems. Factors such as the type of the facilities, the arrangements of access routes, lighting, placement of furniture and equipment and the guidance and reception arrangements of clients are important in preventing violence.
A written safety manual must also be compiled for workplaces/work that are prone to violence. The manual should be written in cooperation between the employer and the employees.
The Occupational Safety And Health Act requires an employer to take preventative measures in order to manage and mitigate the risks identified in the review.