When people go too far

I was just in a large retail store happily browsing in my lunch hour when I heard shouting and swearing coming from where the security guard stands. A customer (and a rather thuggish and scary-looking customer at that) was verbally abusing the guard in an extremely aggressive manner while everyone just stood and watched. I alerted another guard at the other side of the store who approached to deal with the situation and he subsequently diffused it. But it got me thinking ... why should employees have to deal with abuse such as what I witnessed today? These kinds of situations lead to stress and time off work, which isn’t good for the worker or the employer.

What do you think? Have you ever had to deal with workplace violence as a health and safety professional? Discuss here.

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Road safety and the HSE

I have just had a call from a IIRSM member regarding a story I ran in the latest issue of the Newsletter on a new report by the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, which recommends the HSE could play a "much greater part" in managing occupational road risk.

He believes this is not the HSE's role ... what do you think? Add your comments here.

Healthy and happy employees

Earlier this week I attended a private clinic to have a full healthcare screening, courtesy of my employer. Having not even been aware that we are entitled to this after three years' service, I went along not really expecting much.

However, I was very surprised - I had various tests including stress, posture, glucose, antioxidant levels, cholesteral etc etc and am pleased to say I am relatively healthy. But it got me thinking. The benefit to my employer of paying for us to have this health check is enormous - ever since the tests I have thought much more about my health, and the impact it has on my job. Looking after my health is obviously important, both to me and my employer.

I think more businesses should offer health screenings as a benefit - although with the current economic crisis it's probably not the best time to start spouting off...

A rude awakening

On Wednesday morning I woke up to Barack Obama giving his victory speech - which, considering it was 4.30am, rather cheered me up. However, I am really not the sort of person who would rise at such a ludicrous time - election or no election, I like my sleep. The reason for my early awakening was to get the first train to Birmingham to attend the 2nd annual HSW/IIRSM conference.

It was an informative, enjoyable day - most of the speakers had obviously attended a comedy course as the jokes came thick and fast. But there were serious points too - namely defence lawyer Paul Burnley of DLA Piper's talk on corporate manslaughter investigations. He told the audience how he is involved in two of the first cases - and warned that police have arrested supervisors, site-level managers and directors and interviewed them under caution within weeks of the incident.

Read the full story here.