SECURITY TIPS :

Employee Safety Checklist

Employee safety is an important issue for all business owners. Small and medium-size companies are apt to overlook some of the potential hazards that are present during the workday or on company premises. Here are some safety measures to make your business and employees more secure.

Workplace Rage:
Despite the headlines that document the possibility of an employee or client displaying violent behavior during the workday, too many business owners fall into the category of "it couldn't happen here." Many local law enforcement agencies will provide programs on emergency alarm systems, basic coping and conflict resolution strategies, and how to plan evacuation to "safe" areas. Written procedures should be distributed to all employees.

Robbery or Criminal Trespass:
Crime is an ever-present danger for retail or food establishments, but every kind of business needs to be prepared for this possibility. Since theft of equipment, merchandise and cash is a temptation for criminals at any hour of the day or night, employees may witness robbery attempts. Management should assure every employee that resistance is unwise.

Personal assault on business premises is most likely to occur after regular business hours. A policy for informing management about overtime work should be in place and any necessary precautions implemented. Emergency procedures (safe areas, alarm systems) for criminal trespass need to be practiced and mastered by all employees.

Weather Emergencies:
When local weather forecasters or the National Weather Service declares a storm warning for a possible blizzard, tornado, flood or other natural disaster, employees need to be aware of company policies regarding going home, closing the place of business, safe areas for disasters, location of emergency supplies and equipment, and communication procedures and other appropriate instructions.

Secure Premise Conditions:
A safe place of business should be equipped with the following:

• Security alarms
• Exterior and interior doors with high-quality deadbolt locks
• Solid doors (vs. flimsy hollow-core doors) with heavy hinges
• Windows with safety-glass and secure locks
• Private employee areas
• At least one easily-accessible room that locks from the inside
• Secure outside communication (enclosed telephone wires, cell phone, etc.)
• Limited cash on-hand and/or electronically-controlled safes
• Employee parking adjacent to an exit door
• Well-lit parking area free of "cover" for criminals
• Other safeguards unique to your business.
  

Environmental Safety:
Environmental safety covers physical conditions that may be hazardous, such as:

• Fire hazards (debris, flammable materials, etc.)
• Chemicals (powders, liquids or air-borne substances that can be harmful)
• Dilapidated infrastructure (shaky stairs, worn or exposed electrical wiring, etc.)
• Outlawed substances (asbestos, toxic pesticides, etc.) on the premises
• Barriers (storage boxes, etc.) or obstacles to exits
• Other physical hazards unique to your business site.

Most of the items on the checklist require only a change in policy, procedure or planning to correct. For those items that do require an expenditure, remember that the cost is likely to be far less than a lawsuit.

For more on workplace safety precautions, visit www.dol.gov/elaws/oshahaz.htm. The same information can also be found in a free, downloadable format at www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft