Visitor Service Assistant safety concerns
The PSA is concerned about the safety of Visitor Service Assistants (VSAs) employed in NSW NPWS. The PSA has received reports of an increased in threatening and aggressive behaviour from parks visitors. The PSA strongly 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 PSA in this role, the PSA seeks 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 PSA can 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 PSA also strongly encourages any officers not yet trained appropriately to pursue training with their managers as a high priority. The PSA believes 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 PSA Delegates at should training opportunities not be provided or available in a reasonable time.
Please encourage your VSA colleagues to join the PSA in supporting their safety within the workplace.