Armed robbers, arsonists, shoplifters and stalkers are just some of the hazards people face in the modern workplace, according to consultant forensic psychologist Dr Art O'Connor, writes Padraig Yeates.

Even if employees are not physically injured during incidents, they sometimes endured "a lifetime of chronic psychiatric disability" afterwards.

Dr O'Connor, who is a consultant at the Central Mental Hospital, was speaking at the IBEC Employee Relations conference in Dublin. In relation to the retail sector, he said that syringe attacks provoked the greatest fear because of the risk of HIV, but that hepatitis B was a much more likely cause of infection. Armed robberies, burglaries and shoplifting were also hazards for retail owners and workers. Stalking was a problem, particularly for female managers.