Be ready to flee, council staff advised

The advice is part of a set of personal safety guidelines being issued to Hyndburn council staff.

And employees working away from their base must keep a diary logging their whereabouts, and where a visit represents a threat, they are advised not to wear clothes that can be grabbed.

Local government workers are growing increasingly concerned about the risk of violence and abuse from difficult or disgruntled customers.

The general guidelines have been drawn up to alert staff to potential dangers and to set up systems to avoid violent incidents wherever possible.

They include:

If staff make visits at the end of the day or are going somewhere for the first time, or where people involved have a reputation for being violent or aggressive, they should "check in" by phone with a colleague afterwards.

Where a visit involves bad news for the client they should consider going with a colleague and have all the information on why a decision has been made.

If a visit poses a potential safety threat employees are advised to avoid clothes that can be easily grabbed and wear shoes suitable for running, should the worst happen.

Staff involved in site visits should have a map of unfamiliar parts of the borough and be aware of "bolt holes" like council offices and shops in case of violent incidents.

If staff in a "remote" office with a small number of employees sense there may be potential danger during opening hours they may close the office temporarily.

Reception and interview areas should not have objects that could be used as "weapons" by a violent customer, and all booths should have panic buttons.

Staff are not expected to withstand abuse, and customers who become aggressive and abusive may be asked to leave.

Hyndburn personnel and general purposes sub committee is being recommended to approve the guidelines tomorrow night.

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