A security professional’s number one priority is always protection of life, then the protection of assets. With that in mind, in 2009 private businesses suffered over 3,270,000 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses1 costing employers and employees alike 1,238,000 days away from work. The direct cost of workplace injuries was tallied at over $52 billion. In addition to the direct costs, a workplace injury will also incur indirect costs. Indirect costs include lost productivity, overtime, value of staff time involved in accident investigation and recordkeeping, training and replacement, administrative overhead, any product damage, and possibly increased insurance premiums. As a result, the $52 billion of direct costs from workplace injuries identified by the 2009 Safety Index2 produced $80 billion to $200 billion of indirect costs, for a total financial impact of between $120 billion to $240 billion. That’s more than the 2008 GDP of Missouri!
So where does this fit into the paradigm of a security program…everywhere! As security professionals, we wear many hats, sometimes at the same time and as is often the case, we are so diligent in protecting our organizations from vandalism, cyber threats, theft, fraud, workplace violence, trespassers, and other perceived menaces, that we forget that the safety of our co-workers and guests is just as, if not more so, important than protecting them from criminal threats.
Intrinsic in our duty to protect, we must report and document unsafe conditions that are observed. In October of 2010, the San Diego District Attorney’s Office accused at least 19 Target stores in San Diego County of violating hazardous waste laws designed to protect employees and customers.
Conducting routine workplace inspections helps prevent injuries and illnesses. Through critical examination of the workplace, inspections identify and record hazards for corrective action. Joint occupational health and safety committees can help plan, conduct, report and monitor inspections. Regular workplace inspections are an important part of the overall occupational health and safety program.
As an essential part of a security and safety program, workplaces should be inspected. Inspections are important as they allow you to:
• listen to the concerns of workers and supervisors
• gain further understanding of jobs and tasks
• identify existing and potential hazards
• determine underlying causes of hazards
• monitor hazard controls (personal protective equipment, engineering controls, policies, procedures)
• recommend corrective action
Planning is essential for an effective inspection and every inspection must examine who, what, where, when and how. Pay particular attention to items most likely to develop unsafe or unhealthy conditions because of stress, wear, impact, vibration, heat, corrosion, chemical reaction or misuse. Inspect the entire workplace area each time. Include areas where no work is done regularly, such as parking lots, rest areas, office storage areas and locker rooms.
Look at all workplace elements – the environment, the equipment and the process. The environment includes such hazards as noise, vibration, lighting, temperature, and ventilation. Equipment includes materials, tools and apparatus for producing a product or a service. The process involves how the worker interacts with the other elements in a series of tasks or operations.
There are an innumerable number of workplace hazards, some types of workplace hazards include:
• Safety hazards; e.g., inadequate machine guards, unsafe workplace conditions, unsafe work practices.
• Biological hazards caused by organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.
• Chemical hazards caused by a solid, liquid, vapour, gas, dust, fume or mist.
• Ergonomic hazards caused by anatomical, physiological, and psychological demands on the worker, such as repetitive and forceful movements, vibration, temperature extremes, and awkward postures arising from improper work methods and improperly designed workstations, tools, and equipment.
• Physical hazards caused by noise, vibration, energy, weather, heat, cold, electricity, radiation and pressure.
Fire safety is equally if not more important. Though fire inspections are normally conducted by your local fire official, this does not absolve the security professional or the organization from the responsibility of identifying fire hazards, maintaining a plan, or conducting drills.
Sure, as security professionals we are most likely not trained firefighters, nor should we take it upon ourselves to battle any fire. But in the likely event of a fire in your organization, who do you think people will turn to during an evacuation. That’s right…you.
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, one structure fire occurred every 66 seconds in 2009 causing $10.8 billion in property damage. In addition to preventative fire measures, security professionals should have a well-rehearsed fire safety action plan. This is done through strong organizational training to ensure all members know what to do during critical moments.
To protect against the threat of damage, injury and lost business, these core guidelines can assist to establish an effective fire prevention strategy:
1) Develop a building layout diagram. Make sure the building layout is posted on every floor with exits clearly marked. Everyone should review the layout and know the location of the nearest exits.
2) Identify the exits. In addition to knowing the nearest exit from the daily work area, everyone should know at least two ways out no matter where they are in the building.
3) Train employees. OSHA standards require employers to review parts of the fire prevention plan with employees that are necessary for self protection. Training programs should include knowing the protocol for fire extinguisher use in the event of a fire.
4) Have an emergency action plan (EAP) in place and practice it. Perform unannounced fire alarm drills with employees so everyone is aware of the exit strategy in the event of a fire. Identify a safe meeting area outside the building where a headcount can be performed.
5) Conduct routine inspections. Make sure fire extinguishers and emergency backup lights have been checked and tested by a trained fire prevention expert. All fire extinguishing equipment should be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Conduct daily facility inspections to remove any fire hazards.
6) Regularly check evacuation exits. As a part of the fire prevention plan, routinely check that all doors leading out of the building open easily and have not become obstructed. All exit sign lighting should also be checked so that signs are clearly visible in case of a fire.
7) Inspect sprinklers and smoke alarms. Make sure smoke alarms have been inspected and tested by a trained expert to give proper warning in the event of a fire.
8) Ensure equipment and surroundings are clean and updated. Establish strict cleaning procedures in ventilation systems to prevent grease buildup.
9) Be aware of fire hazards in common kitchen areas. Limit storage of combustible materials in and around cooking areas that could contribute to spread of fire. Make sure adequate clearance exists between cooking equipment to avoid heat buildup.
A simple self-inspection worksheet can be developed and your local fire department official would be happy to help. This self-inspection worksheet can point out where to look for common fire hazards inside and outside the building, and how to take note of exit doors and signs, pathways, lighting and any combustible material that might be near debris or combustible storage items.
You can create a worksheet that also has a checklist for electrical breakers and outlets, fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems and smoke detectors.
1-Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, October 2010
2 -2009 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index (WSI)