Prevention and management of aggression in ... - WorkSafe Victoria

ToolP1Violence prevention policyName of organisationPurpose is committed to providing a safe and healthy workingenvironment free of aggression or violence for all staff, clients and visitors.This policy is intended to define behaviour that constitutes workplace aggressionand violence and to guide staff in the management of aggression and violencein the workplace.DefinitionsFor the purpose of this policy, occupational violence and aggression is definedas any incident where an employee is abused, threatened or assaulted incircumstances arising out of, or in the course of, their employment.Within this definition:• Threat means a statement or behaviour that causes a person to believe theyare in danger of being physically attacked. It may involve an actual or impliedthreat to safety, health or wellbeing, and• Physical attack means the direct or indirect application of force by a personto the body of, or clothing or equipment worn by, another person, where thatapplication creates a risk to health and safety.Neither intent nor ability to carry out the threat is relevant. The key issue is thatthe behaviour creates a risk to health and safety.Examples of occupational violence and aggression include, but are not limitedto, verbal, physical or psychological abuse, punching, scratching, biting, grabbing,pushing, threats, attack with a weapon, throwing objects/furniture, sexualharassment or assault, and any form of indecent physical contact.Objectives• Managers and health and safety representatives (HSRs) willmanage aggression and violence issues through the organisation’sconsultative processes.• All incidents and near misses of client initiated aggression or violence arereported via and followed up by the area manageror supervisor.• In the event of exposure to aggressive or violent incidents staff are providedwith debriefing opportunities and follow-up.Page 1 of 3WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Prevention and management of aggression in health services 65