Rural risk survey launched for professionals in Australia

An innovative project called Working Safe in Rural and Remote Australia has released a national survey to explore the idea of a community-based approach to reducing workplace violence and improving safety, according to Central Queensland News.

The study has combined various authorities in collaboration with the Rural Doctors Association of Australia and follows from a national roundtable held in 2009 on workplace violence. The debate identified common risks faced by rural professionals in the health, education and policing sectors.

Project Steering Committee and chair of RDAA's Female Doctors Group Dr Jenny May said violence against rural professionals was an issue close to her heart, she commented in Central Queensland News that "(rural and remote professionals) are often working on their own, rarely have access to support services, and work on an outreach basis within an isolated setting".

The survey is available at until February 17th, and is intended for health professionals, teachers and police officers working in rural and remote locations in Australia with a population less than 25,000 people.

Posted by Lauren Steadman