About Sure Safe
Aggression management expert, Owen Murray MBE, has set up his own training consultancy to help combat escalating violence in the workplace. Sure Safe, based at South Hylton in Sunderland, has been established to deal with the growing incidents of verbal and physical abuse faced by both private and public sector employees. Owen has recently gained a 6 Dan in the Karate Union of Gr
eat Britain (KUGB), with only 8 people in the country to gain the this award and Owen being the oldest. Karate black belt Owen's business is one of the latest new enterprises to get kick started by the North East of England Business & Innovation Centre (BIC) at Sunderland Enterprise Park. And while a Sixth Dan Black Belt and karate teacher, Owen, 60, stresses his training courses are not about self defence and inflicting pain, but rather teach breakaway and restraining techniques to help diffuse situations which could lead to physical attacks
Despite losing his left hand in a printing accident aged 20, Owen has 35 years' experience in restraining techniques under his belt. With a combination 10 years general training and 39 years karate training. He went on to captain the Sunderland Karate team which won the national championships in 1991. He was also part of the British team that clinched two gold medals at the European championships in the 1980s. Already his services are in demand by a range of organisations including security staff at the University of Sunderland, the city's Youth Offending Team, and a number of local hospitals and housing associations. His firm is also a member of the National Control and Restraint General Services Association. Owen who was awarded the MBE in 1994 in recognition for his sporting achievements and numerous charity fund raising efforts, explained: "Statistics show an increase in physical and non-physical violence in the workplace, and for employers to meet obligations under Health and Safety regulations, training should be considered where employees come into contact with verbal of physical abuse. "
There is also a growing trend emerging of employees taking legal action against their employers due to mental and physical injuries suffered at work. "The courses I offer train staff to communicate and de-escalate potential serious situations, and to develop confidence and skills to break away and escape from physical attack." Andrew Seekings, Policy and Support Manager for the City of Sunderland's Regeneration and Housing Service, took himself and 20 staff on a course with Sure Safe as part of their risk assessment policies. He commented: "We have a lot of staff in out-reach offices and they need to feel comfortable handling potentially difficult situations. The training received taught us very valuable breakaway skills and has given everyone the confidence to do that." Would you like to know more?