Health and safety law applies to risks from violence, just as it does to other risks from work. The main pieces of relevant legislation that will be of interest are:

The Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004 SI 2004 No. 752

After coming into force on 1 October 2004, these regulations have set new rules which all employers have to follow in dispute resolution. See www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2004/20040752.htm.

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 SI No. 2006 No. 1031

Having come into force on 1 October 2006, these cover age discrimination. For the regulations, see www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/20061031.htm and for an explanatory memorandum see www.opsi.gov.uk/si/em2006/uksiem_20061031_ en.pdf (143 pages).

The Employment Equality (Age) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, SI 2006 No. 2408

These came into force on 30 September 2006. See www.opsi.gov.uk/si/ si2006/20062408.htm.

The Employment Equality (Age) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2006, SI No. 2931

In force since 1 December 2006, these regulations are available at www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/20062931.htm and an explanatory memorandum can be found at www.opsi.gov.uk/si/em2006/uksiem_20062931_en.pdf (10 pages).

The Employment Equality (Sex Discrimination) Regulations 2005 SI 2005 No. 2467

Under this piece of legislation, any form of harassment is unlawful. See www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052467.htm.

Employment Rights Act 1996

The parts dealing with unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal and victimization are particularly relevant. See www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/ 1996018.htm, or to obtain full text copies or order go to www.opsi.gov.uk.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSW Act)

Employers have a legal duty under this Act to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees. This legislation is not available on the OPSI website. Human Rights Act 1998

The Act came into force on 2 October 2000. It incorporates and brings into force the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. See www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/19980042.htm.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 SI 1999 No. 3242

Employers must consider the risks to employees (including the risk of reasonably foreseeable stress and violence), decide how significant these risks are, decide what to do to prevent or control the risks and develop a clear management plan to achieve this. See www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/ si1999/19993242.htm.