Risk Assessment

6 Essential Steps to Effectively Manage Risk

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Violence in the workplace or other settings, whether between individuals or involving enforcement officers and civilians, can escalate quickly if not managed effectively. Understanding how to identify, avoid, prevent, and control potential violent situations through thorough risk assessments is crucial towards creating safer environments. The prevalence of violence and aggression across various sectors remains high 90% of teachers reported witnessing … Read more

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

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Personal safety is a concern for many individuals. Although no one expects to find themselves in a situation where they ‘must’ defend themselves, understanding the legal framework around self-defence is essential. In the UK, self-defence is designed to balance the right to protect oneself with the need to avoid unnecessary violence. It is vitally important to familiarise yourself with the … Read more

Training – Who Needs It and Why?

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When it comes to ensuring health and safety practices in the workplace, then training has a vital part to play. We use (don’t we) and often hear people talk about a training needs analysis but how often is a new training programme introduced without a detailed review of the incidents that have been recorded? So rather than a targeted training … Read more

Navigating Solo: How to Plan Safe Routes

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Travelling alone can be an empowering experience, offering independence and a sense of adventure. However, it also carries inherent risks, particularly if routes are not carefully planned. The tragic stories of individuals who have fallen victim to assaults due to inadequate planning serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in solo travel. Let’s explores these dangers and … Read more

Eliminating Risk – Reality or an Aspiration?

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Can we eliminate all risk(s) associated with workplace violence and aggression? During the past year workplace violence continues to be a significant issue for employees across the UK with: Thousands of retail workers reporting incidents of violence and abuse. 32 ambulance staff being abused or attacked daily Civil enforcement officers facing increased challenges Workplace violence, is defined as ‘any incident … Read more

Workplace Challenges in Modern Society

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Workplace violence encompasses a range of behaviours, including physical assaults, threats, and verbal abuse. Recent statistics reveal that a significant number of workers have been affected by workplace violence. According to recent data, approximately 600,000 workers in the UK alone reported being assaulted, threatened, or abused. This figure underscores the urgent need for effective workplace safety measures. In recent years, … Read more

Poor Leadership, Dangerous Mindsets, A Toxic Culture & Ineffective ‘Standards’: Abuse At LIFE Wirral

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The BBC Panorama broadcast ‘Undercover School: Cruelty in the classroom’, which aired on 17th June 2024, covering the physical and psychological abuse at the Life Wirral School, was highly emotive and made for difficult viewing. If you have not seen it, there is a link at the foot of this post. The International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion (ICARS) posted … Read more

It’s Your Story, So Get It Right

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Intervening to take away someone’s freedom of movement is generally done for a greater good, to. To stop a situation from going wrong. Or, To prevent a situation from worsening Either way it’s important that you record and report the full picture around What happened before you had to (physically) intervene What was the other persons behaviour What happened after … Read more

Knowing Right from Wrong

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Zero tolerance policies are designed to create a strong deterrent effect by ensuring that any violation, no matter how minor, is met with consistent and inflexible punishment. I understand that but the Health & Safety Executive’s definition of a reportable incident at work, whether within a building premises or working remotely outside away from the organisation’s main office area, is … Read more