A report released by the Greater London Authority (GLA) Conservatives has revealed that, in the last three years, nearly 30,000 frontline workers like nurses cabbies, doctors, bus drivers and even firemen have been attacked whilst working.

Read the report here.

Using data gathered via the Freedom of Information Act from hospital trusts, Transport for London, emergency services and government departments, it is reported that there were 22 violent incidents every day.

Protecting your public-facing employees

So, what can be done to protect your employees who have to deal with the general public on a day-to-day basis?

Real-time GPS panic alarm buttons

These can be clipped onto a belt and communicated over 2G or 3G to track the location of the staff member in real-time via GPS. These can monitor the safety of individual staff members and raise the alarm in an emergency.

CCTV in the workplace

This can be effective when used in conjunction with on-site security guards who are trained in conflict resolution. In 2009/10 the Welsh Assembly piloted a scheme in four A&E departments. It resulted in the staff being more confident in the workplace. However, the report also found that security guards were among the most commonly affected by violence.

Bodyworn CCTV cameras

These can be pretty expensive but the report suggests that employers should bear in mind the cost of their annual sick bill due to violence when making a decision about the implementation of this equipment.

Call us to find out more about panic alarm buttons and how they can work with your existing workplace alarm and CCTV system.

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