ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is supporting the launch of a Charter to help make workplaces safer for employers and employees.
Launched on National Personal Safety Day (7th November) ‘Suzy’s Charter for Workplace Safety’ was developed to help identify and mitigate personal safety risks in the workplace.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust has worked with ACS and a wide variety of organisations, over the last year including unions, large and small businesses as well as the police and employees themselves to develop the details of the Charter.
ACS chief executive James Lowman: “Convenience retailers are committed to ensuring the safety of their staff and have invested millions in crime prevention measures to protect their store and colleagues. We are proud to have collaborated on the development of the Charter, which will be a useful tool for retailers when thinking about the steps they can take to minimise risks and ensure that their staff feel safe and supported.
“Retailers cannot tackle the problem of violence and abuse alone, they need to be supported by intervention from the Government, police and the justice system to tackle the root causes of offending, ensure that appropriate deterrents are in place and that perpetrators are brought to justice.”
Suky Bhaker, Acting CEO, Suzy Lamplugh Trust said: "It is unacceptable that anyone should face violence and aggression in any form whilst at work. We hope this Charter will help employees and employers create safer workplaces and we would encourage all organisations to work through the Charter a step at a time to make these important changes. Suzy Lamplugh Trust are ready to assist any organisation in the implementation of Suzy’s Charter."
The Charter consists of eight key steps:
- Embed a workplace personal safety culture
- Implement robust risk assessments
- Provide robust reporting procedures
- Provide personal safety training
- Implement a tracing system
- Have a system in place for colleagues to covertly raise the alarm
- Offer staff a personal safety alarm according to their risk assessment
- Regularly consult on and review safety policies and procedures with employees
The Charter is available here.
ACS’ Security Showcase, taking place on 27th November in Manchester, provides retailers with a chance to hear from experts about the latest developments in crime prevention equipment and how it can be used to protect their staff and business. For more information and to book your place, visit https://www.acs.org.uk/events/security-showcase-2019.
