Page 5 of 9 Post incident action - whilst the emphasis should be on prevention, consideration must also be given to post incident procedures where work-related violence has occurred. Individuals are the priority and, where a physical assault has taken place, the primary concern must be first aid and/or hospital treatment as required. However, even where a physical assault has not occurred there is still potentially a need for support, and suitable procedures must be designed and put in place. 6.7 First line debriefing - this should be carried out as soon as practicable after the incident, normally by the immediate line manager or equivalent, with all or some of the following aims: To provide relevant individuals with the opportunity to talk through their experience. To establish details of the incident. To assess the effectiveness of existing policies, procedures, etc. To identify individuals who may need further support. The primary aim is to re-establish a safe working environment as soon as is practicable. 6.8 General support - Ensure the workplace is sensitive to what has occurred, and that other employees react appropriately/support the victim. 6.9 Feedback - ensure individuals are kept appraised of any relevant developments, particularly with regards to any actions initiated to prevent recurrence. 7. PERSONAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS 7.1 Being in control and avoiding risky situations are the best forms of defence. Whilst no guidance or procedure can guarantee the safety of every individual in every situation, there are numerous sensible precautions that can be taken to increase levels of personal safety, some of which are listed below. 7.2 These can be applied whether at work or not, and also apply to lone worker safety and to reducing the risks of work-related violence. Individuals should conduct risk assessments by assessing personal procedures and activities, and identifying where safety issues exist. 7.3 Individuals should never assume that “it won’t happen to them”. They should be advised to trust their instincts - if they feel scared or uneasy then they should act on it immediately. Their primary aim should be to get away if they feel threatened. 7.4 Risk assessment considerations Whilst the full risk assessment process as detailed in the Safety Risk Assessment Policy should be carried out where significant personal safety hazards have been identified, much personal safety risk assessment has to be carried out by individuals as they go about their normal working day/life. 7.5 Personal control measures Interacting with customers and the public: Look confident - but not arrogant: Confident people are less likely to be attacked. Smile and make frequent eye contact: A pleasant attitude makes a difference. Be honest: Give reliable information, admit uncertainties, delays, etc., when they exist and don’t hesitate to apologise if a mistake has been made.