Each year on April 28th, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work invites us to reflect on how we can create safer, healthier working environments for all. In 2025, that conversation rightly turns to one of the most pressing and often under-recognised issues affecting staff across multiple sectors: work-related violence.

This isn’t just about reducing harm, it’s about fulfilling our legal and ethical responsibilities. At SecuriCare, we work alongside organisations every day to meet their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, with targeted training that helps teams anticipate, prevent, and manage conflict safely and confidently.

Understanding Work-Related Violence

Work-related violence refers to any incident in which a person is abused, threatened, or assaulted in circumstances related to their work. It includes verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, and physical attacks — and it can come from members of the public, service users, customers, or even colleagues.

The impact is far-reaching: beyond the immediate risk of harm, staff may experience lasting emotional stress, burnout and reduced confidence in their roles. For employers, it brings legal, reputational and financial consequences.

Your Legal Duty Under the Health and Safety at Work Act

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a legal obligation to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees while at work. This includes taking proactive steps to prevent and manage risks associated with violence and aggression.

This means:

• Conducting thorough risk assessments

• Implementing control measures to reduce risks

• Providing appropriate training to staff

• Recording and reviewing incidents

• Supporting a culture of safety and openness

How SecuriCare Can Help

At SecuriCare, we specialise in the prevention and management of work-related violence, providing expert training aligned with UK legislation and tailored to real-world environments and lone working environments.

We support organisations across a wide range of sectors, including:

• Health and Social Care

• Education and Alternative Provisions

• Family Support Services

• Aviation and Transport

• Government and Local Authority Services

• Retail and Leisure

Our training is built to reflect the specific challenges faced by frontline and public-facing staff. From care workers and teaching assistants to aviation staff, customer service teams, and local authority officers — we equip professionals with the tools they need to de-escalate tension, make safe decisions and feel confident in high-pressure situations.

What Our Training Covers

• Recognising early warning signs of escalating behaviour

• Verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques

• Safe responses to aggression and conflict

• Incident handling, reporting, and post-incident support

• Sector-specific risk scenarios and best practices

• Legal considerations and partnership working (e.g. with police or safeguarding teams)

Create a Safe Workplace with SecuriCare

Creating a safe workplace isn’t just about checking a box, it’s about building a culture where people feel valued, protected and prepared. Work-related violence can be anticipated, managed and reduced, but only with the right training and organisational mindset.

Why Choose SecuriCare?

Since 1995, SecuriCare has provided specialist training to help prevent and manage work-related violence. Our courses are interactive, engaging, and designed to be practical, giving staff the confidence to support individuals effectively. SecuriCare is an ISO:9001 Certified Organisation and an Institute of Conflict Management Quality Award Centre, ensuring that our expert-led training meets the highest national standards. Get in touch with SecuriCare today to explore how our training programmes can support your team’s safety, wellbeing and confidence at work.