Preventing and Managing Workplace Violence and Aggression Policy

MP 0159/21 - Preventing and Managing Workplace Violence and Aggression Policy (pdf 218KB)

Applicable to: This Policy is applicable to WA health entities

Description: The WA health system is committed to providing a safe workplace for workers and a safe therapeutic environment for patients, consumers, and visitors. Workers have the right to perform their duties without fear of abuse or violence and no WA health entity worker should consider such behaviour to be an acceptable part of their employment.

To embed this, the WA health system is implementing a consistent approach to preventing and managing workplace violence and aggression (WVA) by outlining a clear leadership commitment and minimum systemwide requirements.

 

The purpose of the Preventing and Managing Workplace Violence and Aggression Policy (policy) is to enable WA health entities to meet their obligations under the Work, Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA) (WHS Act), to eliminate or minimise the risk of workplace violence and aggression so far as is reasonably practicable.

 

The policy addresses instances of WVA directed towards WA health entity workers by patients, and visitors. Work-related violence and aggression by WA health entity workers is outside the scope of this policy and must be managed in accordance with MP 0124/19 Code of Conduct Policy or MP 0117/19 Prevention of Workplace Bullying Policy.

 

This policy is a mandatory requirement for Health Service Providers (HSPs) under the Work Health and Safety Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2)(c) of the Health Services Act 2016 (WA).

 

It is also a mandatory requirement for the Department of Health pursuant to section 29 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (WA).

 

This policy must be read in conjunction with the following:

• MP 0186/24 Use of Restrictive Practices in Non-Authorised Healthcare Settings Policy
• MP 0122/19 Clinical Incident Management Policy
• MP 0174/21 Refusal or Withdrawal of Care for a Patient Exhibiting Aggressive or Violent Behaviour Policy.
• MP 0180/23 Work Health and Safety Management Policy
• MP 0171/22 Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Policy
• MP 0181/24 Safety Planning for Mental Health Consumers Policy.

Date of effect: 17 December 2025

Policy Framework

Work Health and Safety

Supporting information

WorkSafe WA, Code of Practice: Violence and aggression at work (2022)

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, NSQHS Standards, Predicting, preventing and managing aggression and violence: Actions 5.33 and 5.34

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, 2nd edition (2020)