General provisions

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MEVSWS-COP-2003-10-0201-1-EN.Doc/v2

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1. General provisions

1.1. Purpose and use of the code of practice

1.1.1. Purpose

The objective of this code of practice (hereinafter referred to as “the code”) is to

provide general guidance in addressing the problem of workplace violence in services

sectors. The code is intended to serve as a basic reference tool for stimulating the

development of similar instruments at the regional, national, sectoral, enterprise,

organization and workplace levels, specifically targeted at and adapted to different

cultures, situations and needs.

The code covers such key areas of action on workplace violence as:

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policy;

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hazard identification;

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risk assessment;

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prevention and control;

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training;

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management and mitigation of the impact;

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care and support of workers affected;

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monitoring and evaluation.

1.1.2. Use

This code should be used to:

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develop practical responses at the workplace, enterprise, organization, sectoral,

national, regional and international levels;

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promote processes of dialogue, consultation, negotiation and all forms of cooperation

among governments, employers, workers and their representatives, as well as other

concerned stakeholders as appropriate;

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give guidance in developing national laws, policies and programmes of action; in

workplace, enterprise, organization and sectoral agreements; and in workplace

policies and plans of action.

1.2. Scope

This code applies to all areas of economic activity in the public and private services

sectors.