Critical Incidents A critical incident is an event that creates significant stress or injury, or potential for injury. Examples could include: Death in the service Serious injury to a worker, volunteer, client, visitor or management Incidents which attract a lot of media attention relating to the service Violence in the workplace, eg. Hold up or assault Emergency evacuation of the service i. Major Critical / Violent Incidents Following a major violent incident where physical harm has occurred it is important to: Ensure that the potential for violence no longer exists Provide First Aid Give comfort and treatment to those traumatized Call the police and if necessary the ambulance service. (Have numbers on display or on automatic dial function of telephone). Leave the scene undisturbed for the police. Ask witnesses to remain until the police arrive. If this is not possible, write down their names, addresses and contact phone numbers. Contact the family of those traumatized before they find out through the media. (Keep an accessible file – with all staff contacts.) Remove workers / volunteers from their duties Arrange a critical incident stress debriefing Ensure that only an authorized person speaks to the media. Notify the appropriate workers compensation insurance company within 48 hours. Ask the workers / volunteers to give a full report on what has occurred. It is important that they are not made to feel any way responsible until all the facts are known by management and the police, and until they have been fully debriefed and counselled. If a worker or client is wrongly blamed for the incident, it may increase the effects of post-traumatic stress. ii. Minor Violent Incidents Following a minor violent incident such as verbal or phone threats: Ensure that workers / volunteers know to notify the Co-ordinator or Committee immediately Complete a written report on the incident detailing the time, who was involved, the nature of the threats, – the reasons behind the treats and the for the treats “triggers” Interview the parties involved Discuss with the workers whether they wish to involve the police If the offender is a staff member, commence a discipline process or refer them to counseling (whatever is appropriate) Check with your employer association or union for industrial advice. iii. Legal rights Victims of violence may be entitled to: Workers compensation
Critical Incidents A critical incident is an event that creates significant stress or injury, or potential for injury. Examples could include: Death in the service Serious injury to a worker, volunteer, client, visitor or management Incidents which attract a lot of media attention relating to the service Violence in the workplace, eg. Hold up or assault Emergency evacuation of the service i. Major Critical / Violent Incidents Following a major violent incident where physical harm has occurred it is important to: Ensure that the potential for violence no longer exists Provide First Aid Give comfort and treatment to those traumatized Call the police and if necessary the ambulance service. (Have numbers on display or on automatic dial function of telephone). Leave the scene undisturbed for the police. Ask witnesses to remain until the police arrive. If this is not possible, write down their names, addresses and contact phone numbers. Contact the family of those traumatized – before they find out through the media. (Keep an accessible file with all staff contacts.) Remove workers / volunteers from their duties Arrange a critical incident stress debriefing Ensure that only an authorized person speaks to the media. Notify the appropriate workers compensation insurance company within 48 hours. Ask the workers / volunteers to give a full report on what has occurred. It is important that they are not made to feel any way responsible until all the facts are known by management and the police, and until they have been fully debriefed and counselled. If a worker or client is wrongly blamed for the incident, it may increase the effects of post-traumatic stress. ii. Minor Violent Incidents Following a minor violent incident such as verbal or phone threats: Ensure that workers / volunteers know to notify the Co-ordinator or Committee immediately Complete a written report on the incident – detailing the time, who was involved, the nature of the threats, the reasons behind the treats and the “triggers” for the treats Interview the parties involved Discuss with the workers whether they wish to involve the police If the offender is a staff member, commence a discipline process or refer them to counseling (whatever is appropriate) Check with your employer association or union for industrial advice. iii. Legal rights Victims of violence may be entitled to: Workers compensation
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