Sources of occupational violence
Occupational violence can be perpetrated by:
- a co-worker (including a supervisor, manager or employer)
- a customer or client (including for example patients, prisoners, students)
- a person known to the organisation or worker (eg. parent of a student, worker's partner)
- a stranger (intruder).
Occupational violence can occur in a number of settings, including the usual workplace and off-site situations, such as training courses or in a client's home.
There is a potential for occupational violence when:
- working with objects of value
- working with patients or clients who are in distress
- investigating and enforcing specific legal requirements
- working with patients or clients who are likely to be intoxicated
- working with people who are disturbed or violent
- working where drugs are kept and handled
- dealing with frustrated customers
- denying someone a service
- working alone or in isolation
- working at night
- handling cash
- working in environments where political/cultural/religious/racial intolerance is present
- walking to cars or public transport alone at night.
The above list is not exhaustive. There may be other situations that expose workers to occupational violence, particularly where there is face to face interaction with the public.
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