PREVENTION IS THE BEST CURE - Personal safety considerations

David Hay, Director of Sphere Awareness Spectrum

Unfortunately during your life you will experience events that may adversely affect you.  Such events are known as critical incidents and these relate to any incident that causes emotional or psychological trauma.  It is a sudden event, outside the realm of normal experience and outside a worker’s control.

Critical incidents range from a variety of issues, for example anything from potential injury to actual assault, from intimidation through to bullying within the workplace.  The anxiety experienced is dependent on an individual’s judgement and as such, exposure may be perceived differently by different people.   One point to remember is that a traumatic experience is not only experienced by those directly exposed, but also those indirectly involved, such as colleagues and family.

This highlights the necessity and importance for clear policy, procedures and strategies to, at best, remove risk totally or, at least, reduce the likelihood of its occurrence. Consider the use of fire alarms in our homes, we install these not because we know a fire will occur, it is done as a preventative measure.  If the need should arise, this strategy will give us time to safely escape a volatile environment.

As daunting as it may seem, it is imperative that you assess your personal safety policy and procedures from the ground up.  You need to put yourself in the mind of a “perpetrator” who (as mentioned above) has the potential to be anyone from a workmate to a complete stranger - who you may have just qualified over the phone as a potential client.

Taking a step further, let’s say you are a Sole Trader leaving for an after-business hours appointment at a potential client’s home. 

Here are some questions you should be asking yourself:

• Do I have a buddy system in place?  Does anyone else know where I am going, who I am meeting and how long the appointment will last?
• My mode of transport – is the service history up to date and do I carry a torch that works?  If my mobile phone is outside my own provider network coverage, have I stored 112 in my phone (this number will contact emergency services, by accessing coverage from other network providers)?
• Do I have adequate strategies I can implement if I can’t avoid a potentially dangerous situation?  Have I assessed the street or car park before leaving the safety of my vehicle?  Am I confident enough to defend myself if need be?
• Where do I go for support if I have been exposed to a traumatic incident either directly or indirectly?

From a Management perspective:

• Have you implemented a conflict management plan, and was it drawn up in consultation with employees?
• Do you have clear and effective procedures in place for potentially dangerous situations, such as off-site visits?
• Do you have an incident reporting system in place - a reporting system that will assist in establishing whether current policy and procedure is appropriate?
• Do you have a psychological support pathway in place that employees can access initially or at a later date?  

You shouldn’t take a “head in the sand” approach.  Employers, employees and principal contractors have an obligation under the Workplace Health and Safety Act, to promote safe practices within all workplace activities.

Training employees in early intervention strategies will positively affect the actions and decisions made.  Fear is a vital element of our make up and is there for a primal reason - it keeps us alive.

The reason for this article is not to instill mass paranoia.  The purpose of this article is to increase your situational awareness and ensure effective strategies are in place so you can continue to chase business opportunities - SAFELY.  
 

Empower female Mortgage Professionals with the knowledge, to operate confidently and safely.

About Sphere

Sphere Awareness Spectrum is a Queensland based, National Company that specialises in personal safety training solutions. For information on preventing and managing aggression in the workplace and including occupational safety strategies within your team, contact David Hay:

www.sphereawareness.com
 
Email:  david@sphereawareness.com
Phone: 1300 767002
Fax: 1300 767004
Mobile: 0414 949155