What is a high-risk workplace?
High-risk work and workplaces are those that pose a greater degree of risk of harm to members as a result of the working environment. For example, where you are in an unconventional workplace or space, working alone, or using hazardous equipment with little or no safeguards or training.
High-risk work and workplaces include, but are not limited to: where you are lone working, domestic homes, historic or disused buildings, visitor attractions, immersive theatre or street-based performance. They may also include conventional workplaces. Particularly where there is a high degree of negligence towards health, safety and welfare standards, for example, limited or no security staff.
The risk may also arise from the location of the workplace, for example that it is isolated, with little or no public transport. Additionally, you may have concerns with having to share transport with someone you do not know well as a means to get to a venue. In more general terms, Equity understands that members can sometimes feel a lack of safety around co-workers in what may be considered a low risk workplace.
If you are unsure of whether a workplace is unsafe, consider these questions:
- Have you been warned of hazards posed as a result of your work (e.g. close proximity to the public and/or including their consumption of alcohol) before work begins?
- Have you received health, safety or welfare guidance on managing the risk of hazards occurring i.e. reducing the likelihood of being harmed?
One aspect of high-risk work is the possibility of being stalked. This includes being followed when away from home, being under surveillance on social media, and/or being subject to behaviour which is intimidating or induces fear.
