In the past few years, it has become evident that few workplace factors warrant more attention than security and safety. This ever-present need was only amplified by the pandemic’s workplace pressures, from hygiene concerns to physical safety ones. From one’s front desk person’s security expertise to a holistic culture of safety, there are ample measures to consider. To elaborate, let us highlight the essential elements of workplace security and the need for it.
The surging need for workplace security
Starting with the latter, research highlights this emerging need quite strongly. Citing Gallup, Statista reports that only two-thirds (65%) of U.S. workers feel “completely satisfied with their physical safety at work”. This, they note, marks “the lowest score for the poll in at least the last decade”. This leaves a very notable 35% feeling at some risk, with understandable consequences on their productivity.
Notably, they also find notable differences in safety perception between worker segments, such as:
- Whites and non-whites; 69% versus 59%
- College graduates and non-graduates; a similar 10% difference
- Income; a stark difference of 18% between those who make over and under $75,000 a year
These warrant attention from both smaller business owners and lower-income workers, as their safety concerns may well exceed the average. Workplace risk management may become more crucial in such cases to prevent diminishing productivity and actual physical harm of any kind.
The costs of workplace security
In addition, on the subject of costs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cites further statistics to support this. The two most notable ones are:
- “In its 2018 Workplace Safety Index, Liberty Mutual estimated that employers paid more than $1 billion per week for direct workers’ compensation costs for disabling, non-fatal workplace injuries in 2015.”
- “The National Safety Council estimated that work-related deaths and injuries cost the nation, employers, and individuals $151 billion in 2016.”
These costs they attribute to lost productivity, as well as compensation payments and medical expenses. Thus, ethics and physical safety aside, security and safety carry significant potential costs.
Ensuring workplace security
With this context in mind, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers an excellent resource we may cite as a foundation for workplace safety. First, extracting the essential elements of workplace security, we may begin with the three following practices.
#1 Maintaining consistency
Any safety program or security service implementation should remain consistent. This universal quality ensures long-term success in any such endeavor. Moreover, employee perceptions of professionalism, and their subsequent cooperation and diligence, highly depend on it. It will affect training efficiency, communication quality, and more – all valuable factors toward success.
#2 Starting with well-being
Similarly, workplace layouts may need modifications to ensure employees’ well-being, even if this requires removals of expensive assets or equipment. In such cases, storage can be a good compromise until circumstances change. Consider climate control, proximity, and other factors to identify the optimal solution for your commercial storage needs.
#3 Investing in security assets
Finally, workplace security moves beyond well-being alone and does not simply hinge on workplace modifications. Instead, it extends to such investigative services as screening employees, de-escalation training, and more. In this regard, you may consider cameras, security personnel and trainers, and additional issue-appropriate investments. While potentially expensive upfront, proactive measures always cost less than reactive ones long-term.
Essential Elements of Workplace Security
Next, we may delve into specifics and note essential elements for any such safety and security plans. For text economy, we will delve into universally applicable conceptual elements, more than specific practices – which will differ among workplaces.
#1 Establishing a culture of safety
Perhaps most crucially, both OSHA and NIOSH stress the need for a culture of safety. The latter also dubs this a “Human-Centered Culture”, which one builds “on trust, not fear” and promotes employee involvement.
This you may achieve through such practices as:
- Consistent communication and feedback acknowledgment
- Adjusting programs in accord with said feedback
- Awarding participation and initiatives
At this fundamental stage, it is crucial to communicate the intended outcomes clearly and consistently. Employees must know that you prioritize their safety and well-being before they can contribute to your efforts.
#2 Workplace analysis and monitoring
In turn, you may begin to implement security measures to demonstrate your commitment to workplace safety. To do so, you may begin with:
- Workplace analysis; identifying risk factors and communicating them
- Workplace monitoring; maintaining a steady course of action post-analysis
- Regular safety audits; ensuring safety post-intervention
At this stage, you may engage in workplace modifications, as outlined above. You may also identify workplace-specific security needs, such as concierge security. In all cases, transparency with employees remains crucial toward ensuring their satisfaction and collaboration.
#3 Preventing and controlling hazards
Past the initial stage, hazard control and prevention are both equally essential elements of workplace security. Initial interventions may only go so far, especially in cases where one doesn’t properly cultivate a culture of safety early.
In this regard, consider such assets and practices as:
- Deterrents; motion-activated lighting, signs, security systems, and other crime deterrents
- Safety resources; alarms, fire extinguishers, floor maps, and similar safety resources
- Equipment maintenance; establishing recurring maintenance schedules to prevent equipment-related injuries
Of course, workplace hazards and security needs will vary across sites, premises, and businesses.
#4 Consistent safety training
Finally, such top-down interventions aside, one’s safety culture hinges on adequate employee training. In accounting for consistent training, you may allow employees to readily respond to any situations as they occur.
Training examples should primarily include:
- Security training, offering employees the expertise to respond to, report, and de-escalate dangerous situations.
- Emergency training, strengthening OSHA-compliant emergency response and evacuation plans in place.
- Hygiene training, ensuring employees know and adhere to guidelines.
As above, such needs will differ depending on various factors and business needs. Employers should gauge and prioritize their plans and goals on a case-by-case basis.
Conclusion
To summarize, the essential elements of workplace security are a robust culture of safety, workplace analysis and monitoring, hazard control and prevention, and consistent safety training. The success of all of them hinges on continued communication and commitment, which necessitates prioritizing employee engagement.
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