Health trusts given funds to allow staff at risk of violence to be provided with suitable body armour

(08/06/2009)

A recent study of 40,000 nurses featured in Occupational Medicine, claimed 29% of nurses in the UK were subjected to violent episodes once a month or more. Figures published in a NHS Staff Survey highlight the total number of reported physical assaults, not including verbal abuse, on all NHS staff rose from 58,695 in 2006 to 55,993 in 2008, indicating the problem is getting worse.

As knife related incidents at work reach an all time high, health and safety officials and protective clothing company staff met at a London conference to discuss why provisions have not been put into place to prevent attacks from occurring at work.

ASEO organised the event, which saw Local Government Heads, Union representatives and the media attend to address the issue of personal safety for lone workers and front line operatives facing attacks on a daily basis.

The event follows health minister Ben Bradshaw’s indication that all health trusts have been given funds to allow those deemed at risk of violence to be provided with suitable body armour. Since these budgets have been put in place the Department of Health are yet to receive a request for funding for protective clothing.

Jonathan Fox, Press Officer for The Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel, delivered a presentation at the event and commented on his 12 year fight for funding. He said: “Although the majority of the public we serve are fine, there is a disproportionate minority of people that we attend who can turn violent and it’s this risk we are trying to address by reviewing this initiative. Body armour is part of a package of safe systems, it does not eliminate the risk, however it reduces the risk of those dedicating their working lives to the care of others from getting hurt.”

The event organiser Robert Kaiser, Managing Director of ASEO, has not only campaigned for protective equipment for public sector workers but he has also held numerous workshops for charities including Women’s Aid and Victim support, in his bid to teach people about personal safety.

He was pleased to host an event that highlighted the need for protective clothing, commenting: “I am passionate about personal safety, and protective equipment. I myself have been at the sharp end of the issue and was required to wear protective clothing during my daily duties, so I realise just how vital it can be when faced with a potentially violent situation. It is as simple as it gets, it can save lives.

“I was so pleased with the event; hopefully it has in some way helped towards Jonathan’s and other individuals’ fight for body armour. I have constantly been developing products to cater not only for Ambulance staff or Police Officers, but now lighter, concealable protective clothing in the form of slash resistant T-Shirts for the likes of midwives, taxi drivers and nurses, who are now also unfortunately increasingly faced with violent situations.”

Related topics:  Crime and Fraud Prevention   Health & Safety legislation   Lone worker protection   Physical protection   Safety and protection systems 

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