HSE estimate the number of incidents of violence experienced by workers in England and Wales was 849,000 in 2002/03.

Workers in the protective services, for example police officers, were most at risk of violence at work. 14 per cent of workers in protective services experienced violence in 2002/3. Health and social welfare associate professionals, including nurses, medical and dental practitioners were also at relatively high risk: 5 per cent experienced violence. Shop workers and teachers also suffer from high levels of violence in the workplace.

Law/Legislation

The basis of UK health and safety law is the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 which sets out the general principles of health and safety compliance. It describes the general duties employers have towards employees and members of the public, and employees have to themselves and to others. The Act has been supplemented by Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP) and guidance.

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is responsible for health and safety policy and its executive arm, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is responsible for enforcement of health and safety law. Also the European Union has been creating health and safety directives that all member states are required to incorporate into their own laws.

Failure by an employer to comply with health and safety law is an offence and may lead to prosecution by the HSE or Local Authorities Workers who exercise their health and safety statutory rights, such as reporting the health and safety crimes of their employer, are legally protected from victimisation.

Hazards magazine issue 70 reports the results of a TUC survey of 5,300 public, private and voluntary sector employees that suggested workplace bullying contributes to the loss of 18 million working days ever year. And victims of workplace bullying take an average seven extra days off each year than those not bullied. The report also found that in most case, 75 per cent, a manager was identified as the bully.