Managing the Risk of Workplace Violence to Healthcare and Community Service Providers
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2. Introduction
Violence and aggression in the healthcare and community service setting are serious occupational health and safety issues. In New Zealand, Australia, UK, Canada and the USA, workplace violence results in a significant number of days off work each year.
It would appear that the majority of incidents involving violence or aggression at work go unreported, and many employees feel unsafe at work.
As such, violence and aggression are both workplace hazards.
This document describes the risks of physical and mental harm faced by staff in healthcare, residential, social service and community settings. It proposes a range of mechanisms to manage those risks and protect staff from harm arising from violence.
The effective management of violence must be undertaken in the context of the particular workplace. It should be done in a way that takes account of the effect on the quality of patient care, and be consistent with good employment practice.
This is intended to be a 'living' document. We look forward to your input to update this document.