Is Your Workplace Safe?
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when people gave little
thought to workplace security and safety. We generally think about bad
things happening somewhere else to someone else—not to us here
in Missouri.
However, times are different now, and one never knows what could happen.
Such a sense of uncertainty can really affect productivity. In early
July of this year, a worker in Jefferson City went to his place of employment
where he shot and killed some of his co-workers. These stories remind
us that it really can happen in our own backyard and is everyone's job
to ensure a safe work environment.
A sound safety and security program involves a commitment by management
and an investment on the part of employees. Management provides the
organizational resources and motivation necessary to deal effectively
with safety and security hazards. Employees should be involved, both
individually and collectively, through participation in the worksite
assessment; assisting in developing clear, effective procedures; and
identifying existing and potential hazards. Employees are familiar with
the plant's physical layout, and they know the potential danger points.
Employees' knowledge and experience should be incorporated into any
plan to address safety and security issues.
An effective program should include an assessment of the workplace;
a proposal for correcting deficiencies; education and training; recordkeeping;
and evaluation.
As you think about the major elements of your program, you may want
to consider some of the things that many businesses are now doing. For
example, you should have all visitors sign in and out, indicating the
time they arrive and depart and whom they are seeing. Try to maintain
one entrance for everyone (employees and visitors), and keep all other
entrances locked from the outside. (All exits must be able to be opened
from the inside for emergency purposes.) You may want to have employees
wear picture I.D. tags. This will allow them to quickly identify anyone
not authorized to be in the building.
Some facilities employ a uniformed security guard who is stationed
at the entrance to screen visitors. The presence of a guard alone can
act as a deterrent. The guard should have access to a concealed "panic
button" that alerts the local law authorities if an emergency should
arise. You could install a stationary metal detector to help detect
metal items carried into the facility. These work best when used in
conjunction with a hand-held metal detector. If, however, a stationary
metal detector is not feasible because of cost, a handheld detector
can be used alone.
Other safety mechanisms could include having the entry door equipped
with an electric lock that is de-energized when a card or combination
lock keypad is used to open the door. The door can be opened from the
inside at all times. You can install door and window detectors to sound
an alarm if opened, including glass breakage detectors.
Closed circuit TV can be used to monitor areas inside and outside
the building. You should also be sure the parking area is well-lighted
and that no brush, trees or other items are nearby that could conceal
an intruder.
Any situation involving bombs or a bomb threat should be handled quickly
and professionally. The decisions made at a time like this affect many
lives and must be dealt with in a serious manner. If this ever happens
to you, consider following these suggestions:
You must assume a call that includes a bomb threat is legitimate.
Try to keep the caller on the line and get as much information as possible.
Ask questions. When will the bomb explode? How many bombs are there?
Where are the bombs located? What kind of bomb is it? What does it look
like? What will set it off? How can it be defused? Why did you place
the bomb? Let the caller hang up first, then contact the person in charge
of the plant and the proper authorities and evacuate the building. You
should have a written evacuation plan, and employees should be trained
to follow it in a calm and orderly manner.
Training for these eventualities is very important. It is essential
that management support employee training and make it mandatory. Training
is the most effective means to increase personal security. Training
builds confidence, lessens the feeling of being threatened and helps
the employee feel more at ease on the job.
Recordkeeping is an essential element of a workplace safety and security
program. It provides the information that is necessary to conduct risk
analyses, identify training needs and conduct program evaluations. Along
with that, you should develop procedures and mechanisms to evaluate
the safety and security programs and to monitor progress and accomplishments.
You should review these programs on a regular basis.
Today's working world is sometimes confusing, hostile and stressful.
In this job climate, employees feel they must prove themselves and devote
more and more time to their careers. Business owners struggle to keep
companies productive and successful. Occasionally we just need to be
reminded that a safe, secure work environment enables both to accomplish
their goals.
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Authored by: Rick Sparks, Business and Industry
Specialist, University of Missouri Extension
Source: Creating Quality Newsletter, Volume
12, Number 8, August 2003
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