International Hazard Datasheets on Occupation

Officer, security

What is a Hazard Datasheet on Occupation?

[Hazards] [Preventive Measures] [Specialized Information] [List of Datasheets]

This datasheet is one of the International Datasheets on Occupations. It is intended for those professionally concerned with health and safety at work: occupational physicians and nurses, safety engineers, hygienists, education and Information specialists, inspectors, employers ' representatives, workers' representatives, safety officers and other competent persons.

This datasheet lists, in a standard format, different hazards to which officer, securitys may be exposed in the course of their normal work. This datasheet is a source of information rather than advice. With the knowledge of what causes injuries and diseases, is easier to design and implement suitable measures towards prevention.

This datasheet consists of four pages:

• Page 1: Information on the most relevant hazards related to the occupation.
• Page 2: A more detailed and systematized presentation on the different hazards related to the job with indicators for preventive measures (marked as and explained on the third page).
• Page 3: Suggestions for preventive measures for selected hazards.
• Page 4: Specialized information, relevant primarily to occupational safety and health professionals and including information such as a brief job description, a list of tasks, notes and references.

Who is a security officer?

A worker who is responsible for the protection of people and property against crime, violence and other hazards, and for securing classified information.

What is dangerous about this job?

• Security officers carry heavy responsibilities and work irregular hours - this may cause psychological stress and burnout.
• They may suffer serious bodily injury through acts of crime or violence, firearm accidents, or unsafe handling of dogs.
• Inspection tours in the outside, at all hours, may expose the security officer to the hazards of harsh weather or solar radiation.
• Security officers may be exposed to all the hazards of office work.

Hazards related to this job

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Specific preventive measures can be seen by clicking on the respective in the third column of the table.

Accident hazards	Slips and falls on wet grounds, in particular in the dark
	Falls from a height during rescue operations or emergency-event exercises
	Electric shock caused by contact with defective electrical equipment, e.g., faulty alarm systems, office equipment, cables, etc.
	Fire and explosion hazard from gas-air mixtures during inspections to locate the source of gas escapes, in particular in confined spaces
	Gunshot accidents during cleaning of handguns or firing practice
	Dog bites due to incompetent dog handling
	Injuries when attempting to overpower criminals or other violent persons
	Road accidents, in particular with all-terrain vehicles if used
Physical hazards	Exposure to ambient environmental factors (low or high air temperature, rain, snow, wind) resulting in acute (common cold, heat stroke, etc.) or chronic (rheumatism, etc.) diseases
Chemical hazards	No specific chemical hazards have been identified for security officers; however, they are exposed to all the chemical hazards of their workplace, e.g., in university laboratories, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, etc.
Biological hazards	No specific biological hazards have been identified for security officers; however, they are exposed to all the biological hazards of their specific workplace, e.g., in hospitals, or biological research laboratories, etc., or to biological hazards related to blood-borne pathogens when taking care of accident or crime victims
Ergonomic, psychosocial and organizational factors	Problems and conflicts resulting from lack of cooperation with coworkers, clashes of authority, etc.
	Extreme fatigue, which may cause heart failure, in particular in officers with heart problems, as a result of vigorous physical activity during the handling of critical events
	Stress, strained family relations and burnout due to shift-work, night work, overtime work, emergency calls at irregular hours, and feeling of heavy responsibility
	Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) following critical events or high-stress situations

Preventive measures

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	Wear shoes or boots with non-slip soles for inspections on the outside, in particular in wet or snowy weather
	Inspect ladders before climbing. Never climb on a shaky ladder or a ladder with slippery rungs
	Check electrical equipment regularly or before use. Call a qualified electrician for testing and repair of faulty or suspect equipment
	Comply with all safety instructions on the storage, issue and handling of guns and ammunition
	Use services of an expert dog trainer; verify that all the dogs have mouth muzzles
	Learn techniques for dealing with violent behavior
	Consult with a management and working-relations expert about ways and techniques to alleviate work tensions
	Learn how to deal with stress and family problems arising from work at irregular hours and emergency calls; consult an occupational psychologist

Specialized information

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Synonyms	Chief guard; guards captain; protection chief; protection superintendent; security chief; security manager; security consultant
Definitions and/or description	Plans, directs, and oversees implementation of comprehensive security systems for protection of individuals and homes, and business, commercial and industrial organizations,and investigates various crimes against client: Inspects premises to determine security needs. Studies physical conditions, observes activities, and confers with client's staff to obtain data regarding internal operations. Analyzes compiled data and plans and directs installation of electronic security systems, such as closed circuit surveillance, entry controls, burglar alarms, ultrasonic motion detectors, electric eyes, and outdoor perimeter and microwave alarms. Directs installation and checks operation of electronic security equipment. Plans and directs personal security and safety of individual, family, or group for contracted period. Provides bulletproof limousine and bodyguards to ensure client protection during trips and outings. Suggests wearing bulletproof vest when appropriate. Plans and reviews client travel itinerary, mode of transportation, and accommodations. Travels with client and directs security operations. Investigates crimes committed against client, such as fraud, robbery, arson, and patent infringement. Reviews personnel records of client staff and conducts background investigation of selected members to obtain personal histories, character references, and financial status. Conducts or directs surveillance of suspects and premises to apprehend culprits, Notifies client of security weaknesses and implements procedures for handling, storing, safekeeping, and destroying classified materials. Reports criminal information to authorities and testifies in court [DOT]
Related and specific occupations	Enforcement officer; guard; police officer; safety officer, security clerk; security guard; security inspector; security technician
Tasks	Analyzing; applying; checking; conducting; conferring; consulting; destoying (classified material); determining; developing; directing; ensuring (safety); establishing (procedures); handling; implementing; inspecting; interpreting; investigating; notifying; observing; obtaining (data); overseeing; planning; preparing; protecting; providing; reviewing; storing; studying; suggesting; testifying (in court); travelling
Primary equipment used	Alarms; all-terrain vehicle (if needed), cameras and closed-circuit television; cars; communication equipment (including wireless communication); flashlights, guns and ammunition; office equipment (including computers and related hardware, safe and file cabinets); recorders; etc.
Workplaces where the occupation is common	Any large governmental, municipal, public or industrial enterprise, hotels, hospitals, schools and universities, camps, airports, transportation companies, delivery services, etc.
References	ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 4th Ed., ILO, Geneva, 1998, Vol. 3, p. 95.2, 95.9, 95.12.

This datasheet was authored by the Israel Institute for Occupational Safety and Hygiene