A Critical Incident is defined as an event out of the range of normal experience – one which is sudden and unexpected and may have a physical or emotional impact. In some cases it may involve the perception of a threat to life. Critical incidents are challenging events that have the potential to create significant distress and can overwhelm one’s usual coping mechanisms.
Critical incidents in the workplace may include:
– death/serious injury
– assault
– personal threat
– robbery/fire/accident in the workplace
– fraud
If you are a Civil Servant in Ireland and you have had a critical incident in the workplace, please contact the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS).