Care workers suffer attacks


Care workers suffered more than 6,000 violent attacks that left them with serious injuries over the last five years, according to new official figures obtained by the GMB general union. 


Using the Freedom of Information Act, the union found that between 2013-14 and 2017-18 more than 5,000 workers were so seriously injured they had to take at least seven days off work. In addition, more than 1,000 suffered a “specified injury” in the attack. Specified injuries are defined in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) and include fractures, loss of sight, brain damage, loss of consciousness, asphyxia and amputations. 


Violent attacks accounted for a third of injury reports for residential care workers compared to just 7% of reports for all workers, says the GMB. 


The union described the statistics as “horrifying” but just “the tip of the iceberg”. They are based on reports to the Health and Safety Executive which acknowledges that non-fatal injuries are substantially under-reported. 


“Our members often tell us about the abuse they have to face at work — and these figures back them up,” said GMB national officer Rachel Harrison.

https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/carers-suffer-6000-serious-injuries-violence-work

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/09/6000-residential-care-workers-suffer-violent-attacks