Tackling work-related violence is good for business says new HSE guidance for small firms 

Taking simple steps to tackle work-related violence can help small and medium-sized businesses reduce the risks and improve efficiency and profitability.That is the message of a set of case studies for owners and managers of small and medium sized businesses published today by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

"Work-related violence: managing the risk in smaller businesses" contains 10 case studies which offer examples of how some businesses have reduced the risk of violence to staff. These show that there are many ways of tackling the problem of violence at work and that effective measures do not have to be expensive. 

There are 1.3 million attacks on workers each year. Work-related violence has a high cost for employees and the businesses they work for through sickness absence, staff turnover, higher insurance premiums and compensation payments. Employees may suffer not only physical injuries, but also anxiety and stress. Smaller businesses can be particularly badly affected because of lower profit margins. 

A pizza delivery service, convenience store, drugs drop-in centre and a night club are among the businesses in the guidance. The key risks for pizza delivery staff are assaults, hoax orders, theft of cash from their vehicle and payment disputes. As part of good practice, the staff in this business were trained not to react to abuse and not to resist robbery. By having a larger shop window surveillance could be increased and delivery bikes could be parked in sight of the shop. 

Although the situations and risks may vary, many of the responses and solutions identified in the case studies will be relevant to businesses in different sectors. 

Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission, said: 

"Violence at work is totally unacceptable and employers have a duty under health and safety law to take action to tackle the problem, which has devastating consequences on the victims, and real financial costs for their employers. 

"Many smaller businesses manage the risk of violence very successfully. They have reduced the potential for violence and increased their ability to deal with difficult situations. These businesses are likely to be more efficient, profitable and able to recruit and retain high-quality staff. 

"The case studies in HSE's new guidance for smaller businesses show that managing the risk of violence can be simple and cost effective." 

Notes to Editors 

1. The ten case studies selected for this guidance cover the following sectors: retail, health and welfare, security and enforcement, and leisure/service providers. 

2. Publication of the case studies is part of the HSC three year programme to tackle work-related violence. The programme, which runs until the end of 2003, includes measures to raise awareness of the problem, development of guidance for sectors most at risk, and commissioning research to build on existing knowledge. 

3. The new case study guidance is intended to build on and illustrate the existing guidance published by HSE. A general guidance leaflet "Violence at work, a guide for employers" , INDG69(rev), is available free from HSE Books. Specific priced guidance is also available from HSE Books for the following sectors: health services, education, retail, and banks/building societies. 

Copies of Work-related violence: managing the risk in smaller businesses HSG 229, ISBN 0-7176-2358-0, price £9.50 can be ordered online at http://www.hsebooks.co.uk or are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787-881165 or fax: 01787-313995. HSE priced publications are also available from all good bookshops. 

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES: 

Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 08701-545500 

or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG. 

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