Health and Safety for Security Workers
Health and safety issues for security workers
Poor health and safety conditions mean that many security workers suffer from high levels of work-related stress. Working in isolation, the risk of violence or threats, long working hours and inadequate rest and hygiene facilities can all contribute towards stress amongst security workers. The key to improving working conditions and reducing stress levels is to identify the causes and then for employers to take steps, as outlined below, to eliminate or control the health and safety risks faced by security workers.
Manual handling
Lifting and handling heavy or awkward loads, such as cash boxes and cash bags, can lead to back and other strain injuries. Employers have a legal duty to avoid the need for manual handling where possible, but when it cannot be avoided, they must assess the risks from manual handing and take steps to reduce the risk of injury.
Preventative measures can include:
- Providing handling and lifting aids;
- Making sure that equipment is properly maintained;
- Ensuring that loads (e.g. cash boxes, cash bags etc.) do not exceed agreed weight limits;
- Taking individual capability into account when planning work;
- Storing loads where they can be reached and handled safely.
Violence and aggression
Security workers are often at daily risk of threats, abuse and assault. Many security workers mistakenly see violence as ‘part of the job’ rather than a crime and are therefore less likely to report it than other workers. The GMB offers free legal advice and assistance to members who have been assaulted at work, or who have had allegations of assault made against them.
Employers must carry out a risk assessment and take measures to protect security staff from violence. These could include:
- Improving the working environment – for example, by providing adequate lighting or securing items of furniture to the ground so that they cannot be used as weapons;
- Ensuring sufficient numbers of staff are on duty in high-risk situations;
- Issuing personal protective equipment, such as safety helmets with visors, where the risk of violence cannot be eliminated;
- Providing training in how to respond appropriately to violent incidents.
Lone and remote locations
Working alone or in a remote location can increase health and safety risks. For example, violence may be more likely to occur when a worker is isolated, and the risk of back strain increases if heavy loads have to be handled alone. If an accident or emergency occurs, it may be difficult to summon help. The law states that lone workers should not be at greater risk than any other worker.
The GMB recommends that employers:
- Provide a procedure for communicating back to base by telephone or radio;
- Provide devices or systems to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency or non-contact from a lone worker;
- Check that the worker has returned to their base on finishing the job;
- Provide access to adequate first aid provision.
Lack of welfare facilities
Many security workers act as guards on the premises of other companies when the normal work has ceased for the day and normal welfare facilities many be unavailable. Night security staff are often expected to work long shifts and may be forbidden to leave the site.
- Security staff are entitled to adequate welfare facilities including;
- Accessible toilets, washing facilities and drinking water;
- A warm comfortable rest room (if a suitable office is not available);
- Facilities for making hot drinks and warming food, if they cannot leave the premises.
Exposure to adverse weather conditions
Security staff required to work outdoors in all weathers can be exposed to extreme cold or hot weather conditions. Employers must take reasonable steps to protect such workers from suffering health problems.
Where employees are expected to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, protective measures can include:
- The provision of suitable protective clothing;
- Facilities for drying and storing clothing;
- Adequate rest breaks in comfortable surrounding;
- Access to the welfare facilities described above.
Prolonged standing or sitting
Having to work in a static standing or sitting for long periods at a time can contribute to back and other muscular problems. Long periods of immobility are also a recognised risk factor for deep vein thrombosis.
Employers must provide suitable seating where work can be done sitting down. The GMB also recommends that security work should be arranged so that workers can take regular short breaks from standing or sitting in order to walk around.
Display screen equipment
Many security worker use screen based equipment in their work. They may spend long periods looking at CCTV screens, or work in Alarm Receiving Centres, which rely on computers. Work with display screen equipment can contribute to a range of health problems such as headaches, sore eyes, backache and pains in the hands, wrists and neck.
Employers must access display screen equipment workstations and reduce risks by:
- Providing suitable and adjustable seating and workstations;
- Organising work so that there are breaks and changes of activity;
- Providing regular eyesight tests for users and paying for VDU spectacles if they are prescribed by an optician;
- Providing training and information to users.
Biological and chemical hazards
Security workers can be exposed to hazardous chemicals and other substances that may be harmful to health. Security guards may encounter discarded needles, or have to deal with members of the public who pose a risk. Security guards in hospitals can be at risk of developing infections such as hepatitis B if they are exposed to human blood or bodily fluids. The may also be exposed to high levels of vehicle fumes in cash depots and warehouses, whilst those guarding workplaces that use chemicals may also be at risk, as they are often overlooked when any possible exposure is assessed.
Employers are required to:
- Assess the risk of exposure to any biological or chemical hazard that might be encountered by security workers;
- Prevent or control their exposure to the hazards, with personal protective equipment only being used as a last resort;
- Consider providing vaccination against hepatitis B, where there is an infection risk.
Patrolling and inspecting premises
Security staff are often required to inspect all parts of premises, including areas that other staff rarely enter. Security staff may be required to patrol areas such as rooftops where there may be additional risks that will require safety precautions. A risk assessment should identify the steps to be taken to protect the health and safety of security staff.
The occupier of the site should ensure that it is in a safe condition, but the security company also has a duty to its employees. The occupier and security employer should liaise with each other to:
- Ensure that areas where guards are expected to patrol are safe and without risks;
- Provide adequate information, instruction, supervision and training to enable them to avoid danger;
- Provide suitable equipment, such as a torch, radio etc.
Training
Providing adequate health and safety training is an important way of protecting security workers. However, training is often minimal and all too frequently security workers are ill-prepared to deal with the risks they encounter, such as violent members of the public. The GMB has campaigned vigorously for improvements in the regulation of the industry and the introduction of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 which requires some security workers to be licensed. Employers have to ensure that all security staff are trained and competent to do the work.
Health and Safety training should be provided for all security staff and should include topics such as:
- Dealing appropriately with incidents of aggression and violence, and the procedure for reporting such incidents;
- The specific health and safety risks of the job, such as manual handling, lone working procedures, use of equipment etc;
- Emergency and fire procedures
- First aid