Make safety part of the security program

Aug 1, 1998 12:00 PM, RICHARD E. MOULTON

Security and productivity are enhanced with a company-wide safety program. Safety has a significant impact on productivity and financial results. Safe environments that engender feelings of employee well-being are key to a company's success. Operating costs are favorably affected when workers' compensation and other accident-related expenses are minimized. Unfortunately, many security programs operate in hazardous environments where the potential for accidents is high. But lost-time incidents do not have to be accepted. With proper management emphasis and support by employees, excellent safety performance can be part of effective and productive security programs. A safety program that is integrated into all aspects of company operations yields excellent performance. Such a program should: - set safety goals for which managers are held accountable; - establish employees as a critical part of the program expected to work safely; and - identify and correct safety hazards. Emphasis should be given to identifying hazards in the workplace and taking corrective actions. Security officers should note unsafe conditions with electronic watch-tour systems during patrols. Tour rounds can be downloaded, printed, and the safety data saved and distributed for action. Incident-tracking software can help uncover safety deficiencies. Managers and supervisors should continuously survey work sites to identify conditions that can cause accidents. When accidents occur, they should be documented so they can become sources of productive information. Establish "lessons-learned" and "near-miss" processes where root causes of accidents and near-misses are identified. Incident descriptions and recommended proactive remedial actions can be transmitted electronically, where possible, to other sites. These processes can prevent similar incidents from occurring at other facilities. Employee support is an important aspect of a safety program. To recognize and continuously energize buy-in, establish programs to reward employees for working safely. Employees play a key role in any safety or security program, whether they are contract or client personnel. Employee quality improvement surveys uncover safety and service enhancement ideas. A safety program should extend beyond the workplace to include employee well-being away from work. Safety training should include topics such as home safety, fire safety, boating safety and vehicle safety. The strategy is to cultivate employee attitudes about the importance of living safely at all times. Development of such attitudes pays important dividends to the workplace, especially within security programs. A best-practice safety culture is one that does not rest on its accomplishments. With this attitude firmly in place, a safe environment is sure to result.

Focusing on integrating security equipment and technology with the human element - private security officers - to maximize security system effectiveness, the column draws on the expertise of members of the National Association of Security Companies (NASCO). The column features different writers addressing aspects of the roles security officers play in today's systems. The author of this month's column, Rick Moulton, CPP, is vice president of marketing and sales for Protection Technology. He oversees strategic planning and development of enhanced services that anticipate future needs within the security industry. Moulton has more than 25 years experience in business management and has formerly held executive positions with Burlington Industries and American Express.

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