“The shooting and injury of a housing officer and bailiff in south London last week, while carrying out their duties in evicting a tenant from a house, should remind employers of their duties to protect their staff from violent assault,” UNISON national health and safety officer Robert Baughan said today.
The housing incomes officer, who works for a London housing association, and the bailiff were taken to a south London hospital by air ambulance after last Wednesday’s incident in Brixton.
A man has been arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder, as well as firearms offences.
“Obviously our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and family, and we wish them both a speedy recovery,” said Mr Baughan.
“However, this a reminder to employers of their duty to work in partnership with trade union safety reps to implement all practical measures to protect their staff from violent assault.”
UNISON has practical advice for employers and safety reps in its guide on violence at work, It’s not part of the job.
These include:
- making sure procedures for dealing with violence are included in a written safety policy;
- naming a senior manager as responsible for implementing the violence policy;
- shareing the policy with union safety reps;
- regularly reviewing and updating their policies.