Media Release

23 January 2009

A guide to reducing the risk of workplace violence in the health and community care sectors has been released by the Department of Labour and the Counties Manukau District Health Board.

The guide called Managing the Risk of Workplace Violence to Healthcare and Community Service Providers has been a joint project between the two organisations.

Department of Labour Head of Workplace Services Maarten Quivooy said the guide would fill a significant gap, helping both workers and employers who were concerned about incidents of violence.

“There has had previously been a lack of practical advice available to help employers reduce the risk of harm to staff, while also ensuring patients also receive the best possible care.”

Mr Quivooy said the guidelines included a range of do-it-yourself tools to help employers and service providers assess the risk of violence. It then provided some useful practical guidance to help manage that risk.

“The guidelines will also raise staff awareness about their exposure to the hazards of occupationally related violence and will help them see the range of practical steps they can take to ensure the safety of themselves and others affected by their work.”

Chris Walls from the Counties Manukau District Health Board said violence in the health sector had a huge cost in lost productivity. Workers had to take time off work to recover from physical injuries, while the psychological impacts were often severe and long lasting. Incidents of violence (or the threat of them) often led workers to exit the sector, making it difficult for employers to find and retain qualified staff.

“By keeping workers safe, we can improve productivity and job satisfaction,” said Dr Walls. “It can also mean better care for patients.”

He said the document was produced from with input from the Australian Faculty of Occupational Health, the Australasian Society of Occupational Medicine and Austin Hospital near Melbourne.

Dr Walls said the publication was a living document. It will be placed on the Department of Labour and Counties-Manukau District Health Board websites, with a provision for feedback to the DHB. It will be refined and updated in the light of experience.

Note to media: Copies of Managing the Risk of Workplace Violence to Healthcare and Community Service Providers are available at www.dol.govt.nz or www.cmdhb.org.nz.

ENDS

For further information from the Department of Labour please call 0274 422 141 or e-mail media@dol.govt.nz.

For further information from Counties Manukau District Health Board please call 09 262 9500.

Editor’s Note
Please note that health and safety services, formerly referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred to as the Department of Labour.