Caerphilly County Borough Council Health and Safety Officers are working with officers from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to tackle work-related violence and aggression.
National statistics indicate that one shop worker is attacked or threatened every minute of the shopping day, causing stress and anxiety for those affected or at risk. As many as 60% of businesses experience crime, but officers are on hand to offer advice to businesses on how to deter criminals and keep staff safe. People often have to take time off work after such incidents, creating more problems for business owners.
Workers in the retail trade shouldn’t have to accept work-related violence as being ‘part of the job’ and the aim of the project is to raise awareness of the range of measures that can be taken to address aggression and violence, thereby contributing to efforts to reduce the effects of stress at work.
Councillor Lyn Ackerman, CCBC cabinet member for the environment, said, “We want to send out a clear message that violence and aggression in the workplace is unacceptable. This partnership scheme will bring together key agencies in a novel project to keep businesses and their staff safe from the effects of crime. Simple measures can be taken to reduce the risk of crime and we don’t want people being fearful. Many incidents go unreported, but it’s important that we learn about them so we can target our efforts accordingly.”
Over the 18 months of the project, officers will be visiting a range of retail premises in the county to provide advice and guidance. This is part of a national project involving all local authorities in Wales.
If you would like further information on the project please contact Caerphilly County Borough Council, Department of the Environment on 01495 235340 or visit the HSE website.
