– “Touch me and I’ll kill you”, he screamed. The watchman Christian tells about an experience that has left a mark on him. Several times he has experienced kicks, punches and threats at work. But he remembers this incident particularly well. It was late at night, and Christian was supposed to be closing shops in central Stavanger. He then met a man who was suspected of theft earlier in the evening. At first Christian tried to talk to him, but the man ran away and Christian followed. After a little while the man stopped. He turned to Christian, and showed a machete. This is the machete Christian was threatened with. Photo: Privat Then he told the watchman Christian that if he touched him, he would be killed, says the watchman. – Suddenly he started running again, and I ran after him. Then he shouted that if I follow him he will cut me. After a while the man stopped again. Christian tried again to tell the man that he only wanted to talk to him. Suddenly it seemed that it had dawned on the man that the guard Christian was not looking for a physical confrontation. The man suddenly changed his mood, and suddenly became much calmer. – We try to adjust during such incidents, but it is of course uncomfortable when people are so erratic, says the watchman. Christian was finally allowed to come over and talk to the man. He finally agreed to give up the machete. – We are often involved in serious cases involving serious criminals, says Christian. I think there are big dark figures. He often experiences death threats at work. – It can be worrying, and you can definitely get scared. He says that guards prepare for such incidents with conflict management courses. – But it is difficult to prepare for real events. You have to adapt to what happens, and that comes with experience, he believes. Christian says he often thinks about how crazy things could have gone after dramatic events at work. Photo: Siri Storesund Hansson / news news has chosen not to use his surname. Christian is not the only security guard who has experienced threats and physical injuries at work. 60 per cent have experienced receiving threats made in an emotional way, according to the report “Safety and security in guard work: Guards’ conditions for task solving” from the Labor Research Institute AFI. More than 60 percent of security guards who work close to the public have experienced being pushed without physical injury, and 40 percent have experienced being hit without physical injury. The report also shows that security guards are mistaken for police. Christian believes there are large dark figures when it comes to violence and threats against security guards. – Being subjected to violence is experienced as very stressful. We are a particularly vulnerable professional group. When I tell people about it, people are very surprised, says Christian. The guards are on the front line in the cityscape Terje Mikkelsen of the Norwegian Workers’ Union believes the figures are frightening. – There are not many other occupational groups that have this risk. There must be zero tolerance for being exposed to violence, harassment and threats at work, says Mikkelsen. He emphasizes that the watchmen are primarily supposed to observe and report, but believes they often have to intervene in serious situations because they are on the front line in the cityscape. Terje Mikkelsen in the Norwegian Workers’ Union. Photo: Private – There must be good routines for risk assessment and to make the workplace as safe as possible. Here, I believe that collaboration with employees and management can be greatly strengthened. Christin Thea Wathne, research leader for the report, says that it can be a demanding working day because the guards do not always know what awaits them. Become vulnerable to learn from the situation The report also shows that 30 per cent experience serious crime weekly or more often. For example, there could be robberies or incidents of violence. – They are there at the forefront and when it arises. Many find it stressful, especially if the police don’t come, says Wathne. Wathne also points out that the guards often work alone. Research leader Christin Thea Wathne at the Labor Research Institute AFI at Oslo Met. Photo: Rahand Bazaz/news – They become more vulnerable to learning from situations that arose by talking to others, or dealing with the situation psychologically and working through it if bad things happen. She believes the weightlifting profession is an underexplored area, and that it is important to gain more insight into their everyday life. – The public expects them to carry out police duties, at the same time that security guards can be provocative because they are perceived as a private actor who should not interfere.
ttn-69
Three out of ten security guards have been physically injured at work – trade unions believe the numbers are frightening – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
