45 Things To Look For When Conducting A Guard Tour

Aug 1, 2003 12:00 PM

Submitted by Thomas W. Leo

Following is a list of specific items security guards should look for and report when making a patrol:

1. Slippery floors, driveways, pavements or stairways
2. Obstructed driveways
3. Broken walks
4. Wet floors
5. Improperly lighted stairwells
6. Loose planking or boards on stairways or steps
7. Loose balcony railings
8. Broken doors and windows
9. Evacuation routes not clearly designated or marked
10. Blocked fire fighting equipment and fire escapes
11. Lights not operating at fire alarm boxes and exits
12. Accumulations of rags, paper, boxes
13. Defective wiring, worn insulation or bare wires exposed
14. Wiring lying on the floor, especially on wet floors
15. Defective switches, especially those that may shock the operator, or those which make sparks when they are thrown.
16. Combustible dust which has accumulated and may cause spontaneous combustion
17. Open cans of gasoline or other inflammable material
18. Burning rubbish
19. Fumes caused by acid, gas or smoke
20. Defective exhaust fans
21. Gas leaks
22. Leaky pipes
23. Acetylene or oxygen tanks left turned on when not in use
24. Employees dragging an acetylene torch hose too close to a fire, or endangering the hose in a way that it could be cut or broken
25. Dangerous pressure in air compressor tanks, possibly caused by a safety valve becoming ineffective or inoperative
26. Defective elevators
27. Worn ropes and cables
28. Ladders in a broken, poor or unsafe condition
29. Unguarded scaffolds
30. Insecure suspended object which may fall
31. Poorly or dangerously piled materials
32. Loose rope or steel cables, which could be a tripping hazard.
33. Materials placed nearer than four feet to railroad tracks
34. Absence of warning signs where repairs are being made
35. Unguarded/open manholes
36. Unlighted pits or unprotected excavations
37. Loose boards containing nails
38. Broken glass
39. Broken skids
40. Arcing motors
41. Motors running too hot
42. Fast running belts with loose couplings
43. Improperly guarded machines
44. Dangerous horse-play among employees
45. Persons smoking in areas where smoking is prohibited

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Thomas W. Leo is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and has more than 30 years of experience in the security industry. His Delaware-based consulting operation services the business, government and legal communities. He is a lifetime CPP and has served on the Board of Directors of ASIS International. Reach him at thomasleo@mindspring.com.

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