Walter Brennan's Two minute risk assessment of violence

1: Do you know the person?
yes = 5
no = 10

2: If yes, does the person have known history of violence?
no = 0
yes =10
don't know =10

3: Has the person become verbally abusive or suddenly become quiet?
yes= 10
no= 0

4: Has the person said he/she intends to become violent towards you or a colleague?
yes=10
no=0

5: Does the person have or appear to have a mental health problem?
yes = 10
no = 0

6: Is the person under or appear to be under the influence of drugs/alcohol?
yes =10
no = 0

7: Is the person's body language hostile or aggressive?
yes = 10
no = 0

8: Is the task being undertaken likely to cause the person to become angry- eg Are you giving bad news or doing something the person may find painful or distressing?
yes =10
no= 0

9: Are there sufficient numbers of staff on duty and available to manage a violent situation should it arise?
yes = 5
no = 10

10: Does your unit's provide safety first for staff:
cctv = 9
personal alarm system = 9
training in aggression management = 5
If yes score from 9 to 3 if all present
no =10

11: Do the staff feel comfortable about the situation?
yes = 5
no = 10

Add up the scores:

13 - less than 35 = low risk of violence

35 - less than 85 = medium to high risk of violence

85 - 110 = High Risk

Reference: Brennan W (1999)
Risk Assessment, Violence and Dangerousness in the Workplace: Nursing and Residential Care, Vol1 No.3 pp159-163

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© Walter Brennan 1999
Reference: Brennan W (1999) Risk Assessment, Violence and Dangerousness in the Workplace: Nursing and Residential Care, Vol1 No.3 pp159-163