Threat of violence at work

People assaulted or threatened at work are more than likely to be repeat victims, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Its report, Violence at work, said that in the 2010-2011, there were 314,000 physical assaults against British workers (1.5% of the workforce). The HSE’s figures were based on statistics taken from the British Crime Survey. There were also 313,000 threats of violence against British workers.

Of those who were assaulted or threatened with violence, 43% were repeat victims and 23% had experienced three or more incidents of violence during the year.

Occupations most associated with the risk of violence and threats of violence were unsurprisingly from the protective services, such as police officers, but also from the healthcare professions. The age profile for men most at risk was 25-34, although the age group for women most at risk was significantly higher (the two sets of data not matching on this point).

Over a fifth of assaults, as well as threats of violence, were committed by clients or members of the public known to the victim through work.

In addition, there were 6,078 injuries to employees caused by violence at work during 2010-11 reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). These reports comprise 955 major injuries and 5,123 non-major injuries that resulted in absence from work for at least three days.

Violence at work is at: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/violence/violence-at-work.pdf.