Visitor Service Assistant safety concerns
23 November 2021
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøis concerned about the safety of Visitor Service Assistants (VSAs) employed in NSW NPWS. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøhas received reports of an increased in threatening and aggressive behaviour from parks visitors. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøstrongly supports all VSAs in the safe execution of their duties and is advocating this with NPWS management to ensure strategies and policies are in place to protect you in the workplace.
To support the É«ÀÇÉçÇøin this role, the É«ÀÇÉçÇøseeks all VSAs to immediately record any incidence of threatening behaviour (words, actions, implied) in the CAMMS system. To effectively negotiate on your behalf, it is essential we have an accurate and up-to-date record of incidents. With this information, the É«ÀÇÉçÇøcan strongly advocate on VSAs’ behalf to ensure their safety is appropriately managed. We are aware that CAMMS does not always function as designed, so we encourage you to immediately log a call with your IT department if you experience problems.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøalso strongly encourages any officers not yet trained appropriately to pursue training with their managers as a high priority. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøbelieves VSAs should be provided with SEINS, Dealing with Threatening & Aggressive Behaviour and NPWS Law Enforcement (Modules 1 and 2) as a minimum standard. Please contact your É«ÀÇÉçÇøDelegates at membersupport@psa.asn.au should training opportunities not be provided or available in a reasonable time.
Please encourage your VSA colleagues to join the É«ÀÇÉçÇøin supporting their safety within the workplace.