Work-related Violence in the EU Occurrence and Prevention Practices in Retail Safer Working and the Shopping Environment Sector Social Dialogue - Commerce, 7 May 2008 Sarah Copsey Work Environment Information Unit
Aim and organisation of the Agency To help improve working conditions in the European Union by providing technical scientific and economic information to people involved in safety and health at work Tripartite Board with Commission set work programme Coordinates work through national OSH authorities in the Member States (Focal Points) Based in Bilbao, website main method of dissemination
What is violence at work? Insults, threats, or physical or psychological aggression from people outside of the organisation against a person at work that endangers their health, safety or well-being Uncivil behaviour lack of respect for others o Physical or verbal aggression intention to injure o Assault intention to harm the other person o May include a racial or sexual dimension Agency Factsheet 24
European Risk Observatory OSH in figures, 2005 Violence and bullying at work, EU-27 (% yes)* 8 6 6 5.1 4 4.3 2 1.8 1.8 0 threats of physical violence physical violence from colleagues physical violence from other people bullying unwanted sexual attention *European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Fourth European Working Conditions Survey (2006).
Physical violence by sectors* - the European picture T hreat of physical violence Physical violence from colleagues Physical violence from other people Education and health Public admnistration and defence Real estate Financial intermediation T ransport and communication Hotels and restaurants Whole sale and retail trade Construction Electricity, gas and water supply Manufacture and mining 5 3.5 0.5 1.4 2.2 0 3.1 1.7 1.7 1.3 0.7 4.5 5.4 1.9 1.9 3.8 1.1 4.5 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.8 8.4 8.8 7.2 9.8 7.4 9.3 11.6 14.6 0 10 20% *European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Fourth European Working Conditions Survey (2005).
Bullying/harassment and sexual harassment by sectors* - the European picture Bullying / harassment Unwanted sexual attention Education and health Public admnistration and defence Real estate Financial intermediation T ransport and communication Hotels and restaurants Whole sale and retail trade Construction Electricity, gas and water supply Manufacture and mining 2.7 1.3 1.3 3.1 1.9 2.4 2.6 1.8 0.8 2.9 0.5 1.4 3.9 4.1 5.3 6.1 5.9 6.9 7.8 8.6 0 10% *European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Fourth European Working Conditions Survey (2005).
Prevalence of violence and harassment by gender* -the European picture Men Women 8 % 6 6 6.3 6.2 4 4.7 4.1 4.3 3 2 1.7 2.1 0.8 0 Threat of physical violence Physical violence from colleagues Physical violence from other people Bullying/harassment Unw anted sexual attention *European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Fourth European Working Conditions Survey (2005).
Prevalence of violence increasing* - European picture E.g. British Retail Association annual crime survey from 2000 onwards also shows increase in violence to staff *European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Fourth European Working Conditions Surveys
Prevalence of violence increasing* -the European picture *European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Fourth European Working Conditions Survey (2005)
Costs and consequences To victims, witnesses, organisation Physical injury, death Anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress Demotivation, absenteeism, reduced productivity. Loss of goods, damage to property, recruitment difficulties..
Prevention OSH Framework directive Risk assessment o Find out if there is a problem o Decide what action to take Environment Design of job Response to an abusive situation or attack Information and training Support for victims Take action o Implement the measures, with clear procedures Check how well arrangements are working
Some risks Handling goods, cash or valuable goods Lone working authority functions o enforcing faulty goods/returns procedures, enforcing rules on underage alcohol or cigarette sales Open access to all public o e.g. behaviour altered by drugs, alcohol Poorly managed organisations o invoicing errors, product not corresponding to that advertised, inadequate stocks or staff
Some prevention measures Handling money o Promote use of credit cards etc. o Empty tills regularly and automatically Extended working hours o Well lit stores o Well lit car parks, with no hiding spots. o Procedures for opening and closing stores o Avoid lone working. No lone working in high risk areas o Arrangements for safe travelling to and from work Procedures for refusing underage sales of alcohol, cigarettes
Large department store chain UK (GPAW 2002) Meetings for store managers where concerns raised: o unsociable travel times, o a staff member attacked at home, o previous measures not used Task group established. Risk assessment, review of measures and staff consultation. Included contract cleaners Gathered current good practice from the stores Specific budget allocation
Large department store chain UK (2) http://osha.europa.eu/public ations/reports/104 Overall policy to replace local ad hoc initiatives. Regional support scheme to assist local managers and share best practice. Cooperation with police, and local crime prevention schemes Improved security measures, CCTV, alarms etc. Can include home installation. Procedures established information and training specific to job, part of new employee induction Post-incident support On-going staff feed-back
KAURIS method Finland Finnish Institute Occ Health http://osha.europa.eu/public ations/reports/7606507 Large and small shops, liquor stores, petrol stations, taxis Systematic risk assessment and management package Environment design, afetyand seecurity devices, staffing plans, procedures, training etc. Questionnaires, prevention checklists for differtent risks, information and training materials and tools, incident report form, Application through team of supervisor and empoyees Tailored training covers knowledge of violence, procedures, reporting, reacting to threatening situations
BG Einzelhandel, Germany http://osha.europa.eu/public ations/reports/7606507 Half of fatal accidents reported in 2001 were related to physical violence. In 2005 112 cases of newly compensated workplace injuries related to violence. BG Einzelhandel issued guidance for o prevention of shoplifting o handling of shoplifters o handling of cash and prevention of robberies o what to do after an attack. included the issue of robberies in guidance for petrol stations.
www.barhandel.dk Retail Work Environment Council Denmark Interactive electronic training resource For young people and employers Incorporates lone working, working at times when there is an increased risk of mugging, attacks Designed to be attractive to a younger audience Factsheets, e.g on lone work, can be printed off
Success factors in prevention initiatives Adequate risk analysis Thorough planning and a stepwise approach Combination of measures covering anticipation, prevention, intervention, support and evaluation with main focus on collective prevention measures Context-specific solutions Experienced practitioners and evidence-based solutions Social dialogue, partnership and workers involvement. Continuing staff feedback Liaison with external bodies police, judiciary, local community Sustained prevention and top management support and resources
A European campaign on risk assessment 2008/9 Good for you. Good for business. http://hw.osha.europa.eu
Core message RA is not complex, bureaucratic, only for experts not an objective in itself but a powerful tool for identifying the need for preventive measures
Campaign target and objectives: Core target audience o SMEs and micro firms (!) o Employers, workers, safety representatives, OSH practitioners o Try to reach them via intermediaries (policy makers, social partners, focal points ) Campaign objectives o Raise awareness and encourage to do a RA o Demystify the process o Underline that RA is an ongoing process o Everyone in the workplace should be involved o Identify and promote good practices
What is risk assessment? RA is a systematic examination of all aspects of work that considers: o What could cause injury or harm o Whether the hazards can be eliminated and, if not, o What preventive or protective measures need to be in place to control the risks RA is the basis for successful safety and health management RA is a duty for employers and employees should be involved
How to do a risk assessment There are two principles which should always be born in mind when carrying out an RA: o Structure the assessment to ensure all relevant hazards and risks are addressed o First, try to eliminate them. If not possible, reduce them. Five-step approach to RA: 1. Identifying hazards and people at risk 2. Evaluating and prioritising risks 3. Deciding on preventive action 4. Taking action 5. Monitoring and reviewing Remember: RA should be done with the employees active involvement
Network based campaign 25 million SMEs 205 million workers o Beyond Agency capabilities to reach them all Agency s Focal Points o One in each EU Member State (27) and beyond Tripartite network o Employers, workers, governments o On EU and national level Other partners: o European Commission; EU Presidencies; EEN (Enterprise Europe Network) o NGOs; sectoral federations and networks; o Large enterprises and their supply chain (SMEs)
Campaign architecture Promotion and publicity Engagement of partners Identification of good practice Implementation of good practice European Week activities Closing event Recognition Evaluation
Campaign calendar 2008 o 13 June o 20-26 Oct. o 3-4 Nov. Launch in Brussels (with Slovania) European Week (focus of activities) Forum International Travail et Sécurité in Paris (France) 2009 o Feb/March o 19-25 Oct. o Oct./Nov. o Nov. EU GP Awards event (with Czech.) European Week (focus of activities) Conference (with Sweden) Closing event of the campaign in Bilbao
GET INVOLVED! Campaign material in 22 languages on: o Logo, poster, folder, factsheets, PPTs, internet banner o Napo DVD, GP resource database etc. Ideas for action o Disseminate campaign material o Promote Good Practice Awards o Organise your own conference, seminar, workshop o Launch a poster/photo competition Getting recognition o Certificate of Participation o Partner Status http://hw.osha.europa.eu
ALL our website information is free to download For example: http://osha.europa.eu/good_practice/topics/stress/viole nce.stm Factsheet workplace violence http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets/24 Includes some links covering shop work http://osha.europa.eu/good_practice/priority_groups/yo ung_people/index_topic Retail checklist http://hwi.osha.europa.eu/ra_tools_checklists/commerce _sector/publicationfolder_view THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! Sarah Copsey copsey@osha.europa.eu