Toolkit to tackle retail violence
Toolkit to tackle retail violence
The Health and Safety Executive has published an online toolkit to help reduce the risk of work-related violence in licensed or retail premises. HSE says: 'The toolkit provides practical advice on how to conduct a risk assessment and take action to prevent or control work-related violence. It contains information on a wide range of possible control measures and good practice that other businesses have found effective.' Addressing employers, the safety watchdog says: 'The main focus is on tackling work-related violence towards your employees, but some of the control measures could also help to reduce the risk of violence to customers and members of the public on your premises, and reduce the risk of crime against your business.' The online resource and accompanying leaflet provide a detailed backgrounder, and make welcome incursions into common sense areas often missed in official safety guidance. On staffing levels, for example, it says: 'Wherever possible, make sure you have at least adequate staffing levels for surveillance and to meet customer demands.' There's additional detail about the safety implications of inadequate staffing. And on trade unions it says where they are present, employers 'should consult the union's health and safety representatives.' It adds: 'Union representatives will consult members, which can help you work together to identify issues and create strategies to reduce risks of violence.' The initiative was welcomed by retail union Usdaw. General secretary John Hannett said: 'The launch of the HSE web-based toolkit comes at a good time with Usdaw's next Respect week timetabled for early November. We are pleased that the HSE has taken onboard much of the guidance and advice we produced as part of our Freedom from Fear campaign.' He added: 'The HSE toolkit provides practical advice to employers on the steps they need to take to protect their workers. It is a timely reminder that violence is a signficant risk for workers in shops and licensed premises, but it is a risk that can be controlled.'
- HSE violence toolkit and summary leaflet [pdf].
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