ROAR's Blog

Laboratory work can be full of risks. From general hazards like trips, slips and falls, to more specific concerns like chemical spills and burns, labs can be dangerous places to be. These risks are amplified when employees are working on their own, especially if incidents and accidents result in serious injury or incapacitation.

Maintaining a safe and secure workplace benefits everyone. Employees are likely to be happier and more productive when they’re confident their physical security is taken care of. Customers and clients will have more trust in your business if your premises are protected, and it will be easier for you to keep an eye on your stock, staff and workplace if proper security procedures are in place.

Employers have a duty of care to keep their employees safe. In order to meet these responsibilities, companies are often required to put a number of safety measures in place. These measures could include providing relevant personal protective equipment (PPE), issuing employees with personal safety devices  or running health and safety training programs.

Psychiatric hospitals can be difficult places to work. Though many doctors, nurses, social workers and other mental health professionals find it deeply rewarding, there’s no denying that working with mental health patients can be challenging. According to figures published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2013, healthcare workers suffer four times the worker assault rate as private industry.

Unfortunately, virtually all doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals will encounter unacceptable patient behavior at some point in their careers. This unacceptable behavior can take many forms, ranging from threats and verbal abuse to intimidation and sexual harassment.

Knowing how to deal with this type of behavior in a professional, ethical and appropriate manner will help healthcare workers to keep themselves safe, diffuse situations and create a more secure work environment.

Psychiatric hospitals can be challenging places to work. Most of the people admitted to inpatient facilities are suffering from acute mental illness like psychosis. This can make them prone to violent and unpredictable behavior, putting psychiatric nurses and doctors at an increased risk of experiencing aggression in the workplace.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Psychiatric hospitals can be challenging environments in regards to staff safety. Psychiatric patients are generally suffering from severe, acute mental health conditions when they are admitted to a ward. As a result, they are often more prone to violent outbursts and unpredictable behavior than patients in other departments.

Therapists often work one-on-one with people who have a known history of mental illness. And while the vast majority of people suffering from mental health problems will never become violent, patients struggling with complex issues are more likely to display erratic and aggressive behavior. As a result, therapists can be at an increased risk of experiencing violence or intimidation in the workplace.

Panic buttons help to keep employees safe and ensure help is available as quickly as possible in an emergency. Commonly used in both the hospitality and healthcare industries, they allow staff to call for help instantly if they feel threatened or if they suffer a medical emergency.