The Health and Safety Authority in Ireland has used May to undertake an inspection campaign to target work-related violence and aggression.
The scope of the campaign covers those working in a public facing role over several sectors. The HSA have already started work with stakeholders to promote and influence safer working systems.
The European Commission define work-related violence and aggression as "any incident where staff are abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances related to their work, involving an explicit or implicit challenge to their safety, wellbeing or health" in the report "Workplace Violence and Harassment: a European Picture".
In 2011 the report outlined that "a survey of the Agency's Focal Point network suggest that there is still an insufficient level of awareness and recognition of problems with third-party violence and harassment in many EU Member States, and there is a clear need to promote and disseminate good practice and prevention measures which are sensitive to the national context".
The State Claims Agency (SCA) in charge of managing personal injury and property damage claims against the State and State authorities has provided a five year report for work-related violence, harassment and aggression covering 2015 to 2019. "Report 03: Work-Related Violence, Harassment and Aggression" provides that 5,025 incidents occurred between 2015 to 2019 with 18 finalised claims resulting in compensation.
The cost of the claims ranged from €7,000 to €891, 588 and 68% of the claims were rated as moderate in severity (injury requiring medical treatment).
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