Purpose and Objectives
This policy outlines the range of responses that may be available to our company staff who may find themselves in situations that threaten their personal safety when dealing with other employees, Contractors, Customers/Clients or the public. This may be particularly so for staff who work behind a counter or in service areas.
Scope/Coverage
This policy applies to all our employees.
Policy Statement
The Work Health and Safety Act (2011) specifies that employers have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of staff and to eliminate or minimise risks. One of these risks is any threat to personal safety in the workplace. Staff also have an obligation to take reasonable care at work.
To minimise the risk of actual harm or repetition of threats, staff are expected to report threats or violent incidents.
Personal Safety
Personal safety may be threatened in situations which could include behaviours such as:
- shouting
- a display of anger, agitation or threatening behaviour
- suspicious, evasive or other unusual behaviour
- actual threat of harm.
Responses to threats of personal safety
In the event of an employee being in a situation where violence may occur, the employee should immediately notify their supervisor and co-workers, and either the employee involved or the supervisor should contact Security Emergency [telephone #########].
Any threat to personal safety must be reported to your supervisor or another relevant manager. The supervisor may need to seek advice to determine which policy or procedure needs to be followed for the type of threat or behaviour. Depending on the type the process may be different, but it remains vital that the supervisor or other relevant manager is informed immediately. It is imperative that the recipient of such threats or behaviour is immediately placed in a position of safety.
Staff are encouraged to report threats or violent incidents to their supervisor. This is a legitimate and positive contribution to workplace well-being and safety. No employee will be adversely affected by reporting a threat or violent incident. Any employee who is, or has been, affected in any way by a threat to personal or workplace safety, may seek counselling or other assistance.
Should an injury or dangerous occurrence arise from a threat or act of violence, the Director of Occupational Health and Safety should be notified immediately or as soon as possible following the necessary emergency action. An Injury, Illness and Incident Report form should be submitted and forwarded to the Director, Occupational Health and Safety.
Documentation
- Project Management Plan
- Site Inspection Checklist
- Work Health and Safety Management Plan
- Incident report