• What law applies
• What is occupational violence?
• Sources of occupational violence
• Effects of occupational violence
• Prevention and control measures
• If violence occurs

• First aid
• Occupational stress
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Risk management

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What is occupational violence?

Occupational Violence is defined as any incident where a worker is physically attacked or threatened in the workplace or during workplace activities.

Within this definition:

Threat means a statement (verbal) or behaviour that causes a reasonable person to believe they are in danger of being physically attacked.

Physical attack means the direct or indirect application of force by a person to the body of, or to clothing or equipment worn by, another person where that application creates a risk to health and safety.

The number of physical attacks at the workplace is lower than the incidences of threats.

Occupational violence should not be considered as simply ¿part of the job¿. Occupational violence is not acceptable, no matter how frequently or infrequently it occurs.

The term occupational violence applies to all forms of physical attacks on workers, including but not limited to:

• striking, kicking, scratching, biting, spitting or any other type of direct physical contact
• throwing objects
• attacking with knives, guns, clubs or any other type of weapon
• pushing, shoving, tripping, grabbing.

Occupational violence is defined without consideration of the attacker¿s intent. The definition, therefore, covers situations where a worker is attacked by a person who may not be able to form intent, but who is capable of violence. For example, a nurse physically attacked by a patient with an acquired brain injury ¿ it is unclear whether the patient made a conscious decision to physically attack the nurse.