Organisational and environmental measures for reducing and managing work-related violence

This chapter deals predominantly with the management of work processes and the working environment to reduce the likelihood and impact of violence within the workplace, particularly that which arises from personal interactions. Such management forms an essential part of an integrated organisational approach to workplace violence and assumes that rigorous monitoring and risk assessment are undertaken. The instigators of violence could be customers, workers or outsiders, as indeed could the victims. Experiences immediately prior to arrival at the worksite, or particularly relevant to the organisation, may be especially influential in shaping the individual’s emotional state. It is important to identify and modify specific aspects of the physical environment which may act as stressors and increase the likelihood of aggressive behaviour. Privacy, competition and equipment breakdown should all be considered when designing a workplace, or public area within the work site.