5 Ways To Increase Security Levels

With the growing concern for security, there are plenty of associations and establishments that could benefit from an increase in the safety measures regarding employees, property, and information. Companies, small businesses, not-for-profit groups, and even schools should take advantage in enhancing the way they protect their interests. Below you will find a few suggestions that could help boost security for an array of different institutions:

Photo ID System

While high schools and large businesses may already utilize photo identification cards, smaller businesses and other associations might not have tapped into the convenience of such a tool. Some of the best photo ID systems are those that delegate varying levels of access according to your rank in a company. With the swipe of an electronic card, gaining entrance to top-level regions of a company are not only monitored but controlled as to who may have access to important files and other information. Implementing such a system can avoid the mishandling of vital data.

Metal Detectors and X-Ray Scans

Unfortunately, we live in a society that has made metal detectors and X-ray scans a necessary tool for increasing the security of a building. High schools and even middle schools across the country have already set up metal detectors to stop the flow of violence and weapon possession. Since drugs are becoming an increasing disturbing problem, X-ray scans may replace the strip and purse searches that are taking place in a handful of institutions. Violence also extends to the corporate world and other business settings, as disgruntled employees have been known to handle their stress in an inappropriate manner. Metal detectors and X-ray scans can avoid physical contact pertaining to employees and students.

Camera Installation

While security guards, onsite police officers, or high school principals don't have eyes in the back of their heads, cameras may act as an extra set. Camera installation allows officials and executives to get to the root of many problems that may arise in their work setting. For example, the mysterious decrease in office supplies is finally solved through the review of several weeks of tapes or who started the food fight in lunch can be dissected. Cameras not only solve problems, but can help avoid them as well.

Enhanced Computer Protection

In some settings, the computer has become an encyclopedia of personal information regarding a company or school. Important and private files are stored and although passwords and user names are a must to gain access, they are still not 100% protected. Today, a lot of work is also completed on laptops, which are easily portable and make easy theft subjects. Buying laptop security devices allow workers to leave their office or desk without the fear of returning to a stolen computer. Security cables are used to attach the laptop to a heavy chair, table, or desk, making it quite hard for someone to run off with one.

Tightening Financial Controls

One of the biggest fears that an executive or company owner has is the threat of employee theft or dishonesty. These acts of disobedience and disregard can cost the largest businesses billions of dollars on a yearly basis. In the small company sector, embezzlement, stolen inventory, and information leakage can seriously damage the success of a business. To prevent these occurrences and loss of money, tighter financial controls should be implemented.

Fire Extinguisher Use

Given the fact that we do have turnover in some of our offices due to retirements, etc., there are some subjects that should be written about every year, especially those that can directly affect our livelihood.

According to OSHA requirements, no one in any workplace is supposed to use a fire extinguisher unless they have been trained. After reading and heeding the tips in this article, you will be able to use a fire extinguisher and know the situations in which to use them. It is imperative to know how to use a portable fire extinguisher for several obvious reasons; the first being the keys to activate it to extinguish a fire. Secondly, the size and type of fire governs whether you need to tackle the problem, or call 911 and clear the building. Both of these items, if not performed correctly, can cause one to injure themselves and/or someone else in the process.

FOUR ITEMS TO REMEMBER WHEN USING AN EXTINGUISHER:

* 1. Use your judgment – Ask yourself: “Is the fire limited in size and can it spread?”, “ Do I have an ‘escape route’ if something goes wrong?”, Obviously – “Do you know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher?”
* 2. Communicate – Assume that your decision is to fight the fire. Make sure that you tell at least one other person. That person should also pass the word along that you are attempting to extinguish the fire.
* 3. Ready the fire extinguisher - You may have the option of choosing the correct type of extinguisher. However, we have tried to see that all offices have the Type ABC, which covers: paper products, wood, flammable liquids like gasoline, kerosene, oil, oil-based paint, etc. It also covers energized electrical equipment, such as: fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery and appliances.

The following is a short description of each type of extinguisher and their designed purpose:
o Type A – Ordinary Combustibles -- wood, paper products, rubber, cloth, and many plastics.
o Type B – Flammable Liquids – gasoline, tar, oil, oil-based paint, kerosene, lacquer, and flammable paint.
o Type C – Energized Electrical Equipment – includes wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery and appliances.
o Type D – Flammable Solids – like magnesium.
o We talked above about the four items to remember when using portable fire extinguishers. Using judgment and communicating pretty much explain themselves. Readying the extinguisher and using it warrant a more detailed explanation.
* 4. Ready the Extinguisher (Preparing it for use in a fire)
o Quickly, but carefully, remove the extinguisher from the mounting bracket. Watch the weight because extinguishers come in a variety of weights. (In our offices, they are normally 2.5 lbs. to 10 lbs).
o Stand about six feet from the fire.
o Remove the hose/nozzle from the holding bracket and pull the pin.
o Aim towards the fire.
o Squeeze the handle after you have aimed (to avoid wasting time and chemical).

The NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) uses a technique to remember when using a fire extinguisher. It is known as the P.A.S.S. technique.

P.A.S.S. Technique:

P – Pull out the pin that secures the handle.

A – Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.

S – Squeeze the handle – (Don’t be surprised – the chemical agent will make a loud noise as it is released through the nozzle.

S – Sweep the agent from side to side across the base of the fire until it is completely out. Be on the alert for re-ignition or restarting. If this happens, continue to use the extinguisher until the fire is out or the chemical agent has been used up.

Once it appears that the fire is out, back away and check for sure. If the situation is applicable, ask an associate to get another extinguisher just in case of a restart and the chemical is drained from the first extinguisher. Also, remember if you have exhausted the extinguisher and the fire is still burning, Evacuate the Area!!

As a suggestion, it would be good to take a few minutes with your staff and review the procedure for using the extinguisher. We all have new employees that may not have had this exposure or be familiar with their use.

Contain the flame – avoid the pain!
If You’re in Doubt – You Can’t Put It Out!

Excerpts: www.webworld.com

Questionnaire Forms For Safety

XYZ HEALTH AND SAFETY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TENDERERS
This questionnaire forms part of the tender process and is to be completed by tender’s and submitted with
their tender offer. Yes / No

1. Safety and Health Policy Yes No Mark
1.1 Is there a safety & health policy with clearly stated objectives? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
1.2 Are the objectives communicated to & understood by employees? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
1.3 Is the policy signed by the General Manager? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
1.4 Is it displayed in all work areas? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
Marks obtained out of 5

2. Responsibility/Accountability
2.1 Do duty statements exist and do they define safety & health responsibilities? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
2.2 Are all employees fully conversant with their duty of care responsibilities? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
2.3 Are employees regularly evaluated against their responsibilities? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
2.4 Are safety and health issues taken into account when purchasing equipment? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
2.5 Is there a flow chart to enable identification of individual responsibilities? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
2.6 Is there a documented disciplinary procedure? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
Marks obtained out of 7

3. Consultative Procedures
3.1 Are Safety and health representatives elected by the workforce? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
3.2 Have they attended an accredited training program, of had any formal training? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
3.3 Are the representatives members of the health & safety committee? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
3.4 Is the committee chaired by senior management? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
3.5 Are minutes kept and made available on request? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
3.6 Does the committee develop action plans? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
Marks obtained out of 8

4. Hazard/Risk Management
4.1 Is there a documented risk assessment/management process? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
4.2 Is the process regularly reviewed to ensure follow up? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
4.3 Is the safety and health committee involved in the process? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
4.4 Is there a documented program for regular inspection of all plant and equipment? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
4.5 Is there a documented system to record Job Safety Analysis 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
Marks obtained out of 8

5. Provision of Information
5.1 Are the activities of the safety & health committee communicated to the workforce? 􀀀 􀀀(1)
5.2 Are changes to work practices and procedures made known to the workforce? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
5.3 Are changes to legislation, regulations, codes of practice, guidelines, etc, communicated to the workforce? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
Marks obtained out of 5

6. Induction/Training Yes No Mark
6.1 Is an induction program in place? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
6.2 Is there an on the job documented training program? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
6.3 Are individual records of training maintained? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
6.4 Is there a continuing training program for supervisors? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
Marks obtained out of 5

7. Personal Protective Equipment
7.1 Have all employees been instructed in the correct
usage and maintenance of PPE? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
7.2 Are all forms of PPE available at all times? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
Marks obtained out of 3

8. Hazardous Materials
8.1 Is there a hazardous materials management system in place? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
8.2 Is it updated and maintained regularly? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
8.3 Is it freely available to safety & health representatives? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
8.4 Is all the required signage current and in place? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
Marks obtained out of 6

9. Incident Reporting and Investigation
9.1 Are the requirements for reporting all accidents, incidences and near misses known to all employees? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
9.2 Are the requirements complied with? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
9.3 Is there a documented procedure for investigation of all such accidents, incidences and near misses? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
9.4 Are the results of these investigations and corrective actions conveyed to all employees? (1)
9.5 Are written records of all accidents, incidences & near misses maintained? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
9.6 Is there a program for regular workplace inspections by senior management? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
Marks obtained out of 8

10. Emergency Planning and Response
10.1 Is there documented emergency response plan? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
10.2 Is the plan regularly tested and reviewed? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
10.3 Is all emergency equipment available and maintained? 􀀀 􀀀 (2)
Marks obtained out of 5

11. Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation
11.1 Are trained first aid services available at all times? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
11.2 Is there a procedure in place for medical treatment and/or evacuation of injured personnel? (1)
11.3 Is there a substance abuse procedure in place? 􀀀 􀀀 (1)
11.4 Is there a documented program for rehabilitation and return to workof injured personnel? (1)
Marks obtained out of 4

12. Certification
The above information is an accurate evaluation of the organisation’s Health and Safety Management
Sub Contractor Company:
Signed: Date:
Position:

OFFICE USE ONLY
TOTAL / 64 RESULT……………… % ACTION :

Five Factors for Rigorous Safety Leadership

Five Factors for Rigorous Safety Leadership
Leading employees to behave safely on the job is not an easy task. During our 15 years of experience of consulting with top executives on workplace safety, we have had many leaders tell us that if they had known leading employees to behave safely on the job was so hard to do, they might have turned down the position of supervisor, foreman or lead. Yet, there is hope.

Leaders from the frontline can be effective by learning about dealing with these five human factors:

1. Expectations: Unspoken, unrecognized expectations in the workplace can lead to job frustration, substandard safety performance, decreased job safety commitment and even high turnover. Understand that most employees expect to have a workplace free of hazards. Workers have varying expectations when it comes to factors such as autonomy, work/life balance, career opportunities, stability, structure, and teamwork. The key is to learn what expectations the individuals in your organization have and then work with them to meet or, in some cases, adjust those expectations.

2. Communication: Being a superb safety communicator is difficult to accomplish. Think about the people to whom you communicate safety requirements on a daily basis. You will notice some are strong in certain communication skills, but weak in other skills. Learn everything you can about your communications style and how it affects others - what impact do you have? If you don't usually get a positive reaction from those around you, take a course in interpersonal skills.

3. Innovation: Change, whether anticipated or unanticipated, can be difficult. To innovate, grow and improve a safety culture requires individuals who are able to see the big picture. Accept that change is a part of life and learn let go of the past and embrace and apply new techniques, technologies, and tools when appropriate.

4. Organization: Safety innovation cannot be done without teams of people dedicated to hitting the goal: A Zero-Injury Workplace. Leaders must be able to organize a team and motivate it towards the goal. Imagine everyone leading each other to the goal of a zero-injury workplace.

5. Appreciation: Great leaders accomplish great things. Great leaders appreciate the people who make things happen. Understanding how one reacts to certain situations as a leader is vital to being a successful leader.

Get Rigorous for a Bright Future
Becoming rigorous about safety is hard work, but it is rewarding. When a company and its leaders commit to improving their effectiveness with rigorous safety programs, employees are more motivated to behave safely so they can home to their families every day without injury. After all, no matter what level you are in the company, the goal is "Nobody Gets Hurt." That's a goal everyone can live with.