RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2021 :: RMTnews 18 A new research project aims to point the industry in the direction of effective practices for the prevention and management of work-related violence. 2020 saw a dramatic reduction in the number of passengers using the railway. Yet, RSSB’s quarterly progress report (December 2020), shows that the number of assaults reported per passenger journey have, in fact, increased. The discussion around work-related violence in rail is not a new one. The rail industry has a dedicated platform to discuss and strategically address the issue: the Work Related Violence Strategic Group (WRVSG) led by Rail Delivery Group (RDG). A work-related violence definition has been agreed for the rail industry: “Any incident, in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work”. Having an industry wide definition of work-related violence creates clarity around what it is we are referring to when we use the term and consistency in how work- related violence is measured. In 2018, an RSSB report provided an insight into the PREVENTING WORK-RELATED VIOLENCE Joana Faustino, chartered psychologist and the Rail Safety and Standards Board’s (RSSB) senior work psychologist talks about a new research project tackling work-related violence