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 2003, 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.

Further support is available from your local Small Business & Technology Development Center to help with business management issues.

- Rick Sparks, MO SBTDC. For Creating Quality Newsletter, Aug. 2002.