Violence in the workplace

The employer has a legal responsibility to protect you from violence.

Section 8(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 states: "An employer must ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees of the employer."

This duty includes:

• ensuring that systems of work and the working environment of the employees are safe and without risks to health
• providing such information, instructions, training and supervision as may be necessary to ensure the employees' health and safety at work.

This means that staff must be provided with all relevant information about the potential risk of violent behaviours by a student and be consulted as part of any risk assessment concerning a student with violent behaviours.

Publications

Violence in the workplace guide 2002 (Workcover)

Suspension and Expulsion of School Students - Procedures (DET policy)

Articles from Education

Verbal abuse is a health hazard (NSWTF - Education article - June 2004)

Dealing with violence and OH&S in special schools (NSWTF - Education article - March 2005)

Federation wins OH&S prosecution (NSWTF - Education article - April 2006)

DET fined again for OH&S failures (NSWTF - Education article - June 2006)

DET fined $220,000 for OH&S breaches (NSWTF - Education article - Oct 2006)

Federation wins another prosecution (NSWTF - Education article - Oct 2006)

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Last Modified: 16 Jul 2007