Anthony Craig wants it to be an option for staff to wear a body camera to help document violent incidences involving patients and relatives, and also workplace bullying and harassment.

Employers were able to have overt and covert surveillance in the workplace but employees couldn’t, Mr Craig said.

With more people being looked after in aged care suffering brain damage from drugs and alcohol the chances of being a victim of a violence has increased Mr Craig said.

“The risk is now an acceptable part of the job.”

Cameras could also be used to catch staff not doing the right thing, Mr Craig said.

He highlighted an incident where a camera was used to assist a resident being abused by staff member in Adelaide this year.

The hidden camera was used to catch the carer trying to suffocate an 89-year-old bed-ridden man at an aged care facility.

The camera was placed by the man’s daughter after she felt her complaints were not being dealt with.

Mr Craig said staff wearing cameras would help prevent this misconduct.

Concerns for staff privacy Mr Craig said could be addressed by the employers not holding the footage and making it optional.

Another case where cameras at work could help was to provide another form of evidence in the cases of workplace harassment and bullying he said.