Crime, Accidents, Safety And Security

No matter what your job, you need to work safely. Be aware of possible safety risks in your workplace, remove obvious hazards and minimize risks of injury. Safety at work can be improved through awareness and training, planning and monitoring. Employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace but everyone is responsible for following safety rules and avoiding accidents. Safety at work is a win-win for the company, for workers and for clients or visitors.

Preventing crime at work starts with implementing proactive safety and security policies. Learn to create a culture of safety, provide training and establish strong policies.

A safe workplace requires being on the lookout for warning signs (e.g. unusual behaviors, moods, threats, bullying, thefts) and diffusing buildups where possible. Leaders should consult a safety expert and introduce newsletters, scenario training and security protocols. A business’ assets also need securing and proper surveillance. Be vigilant with the surrounds of your business too, so it is less prone to arson and vandalism.

Employers, and staff responsible for workplace safety, need to know how to keep everyone safe. It is better to 'stop' a security breach before it happens. Having security measures in place helps keep everyone in the workplace safe. Be vigilant and if you see something unusual say something.

When a crisis occurs it is usually without warning. Some mishaps are predictable and can be avoided, but most are not. That is why it is essential to know how to identify and deal effectively with a crisis as soon as it happens. Managing a crisis means responding effectively when something unexpected happens. Responding to a critical situation in a timely but measured way can lessen the harmful effects.

The key to minimizing risk is to be prepared — understand and learn from what happened before, improve collaboration, provide more training, and have clear protocols for everyone. Consider potential risks, then plan and rehearse responses to minimize their possible impact.

Every workplace should have emergency procedures in place. A designated safety officer should be in charge. The actions taken in the first minutes of an emergency are critical. Calls for help, and an immediate warning to evacuate, shelter or lockdown can save lives. Someone trained to administer first aid or perform CPR is essential. Knowledge of the layout of the building is crucial. Being prepared means that injury or damage — to employees, customers and the business — can be minimized. Emergency plans should be easy to understand and suited to the specific workplace. They should also be reviewed regularly so they remain current and effective.

Learn how workplaces can minimize crimes such as theft, dishonesty and cyberattacks with essential prevention tools. Learn to implement policies, ramp up security, invest in the right applications and consultants, and clamp down on abuse of privilege.

Retired detective Colin McLaren discusses with Eve Ash the importance of having strong policies and rules about use of company cars and credit cards to minimize abuse. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) and random checks for pornography, drugs and alcohol are critical. With social media, less personal information sharing is best. Checking people’s backgrounds when recruiting, ensuring strong audit trails, double-checking for those with discretion over company money are all important precautions.