Physical work environment and securityPhysical work environment and security

Physical work environment and security

The physical work environment can affect the likelihood of violence, aggression, harassment and bullying occurring and the ability to respond if it does happen. Consider the following control measures which may provide the highest protection for workers.

Security

\- Security personnel or night-time security patrol.
\- Video surveillance.
\- Fixed and portable alarm systems.
\- Communication systems like phones, intercoms and alarm systems are in place, regularly maintained and tested.
\- Ensuring vehicles are fit for purpose (e.g. have central locking devices, tracking devices such as GPS systems to allow drivers in distress to be located, lighting inside the vehicle to allow the driver to be aware of passenger behaviour, vehicles are well maintained so they do not break down in unsafe locations or times).

Access

\- Controlling access to the premises (e.g. electronically controlled doors with viewing panels that allow surveillance of public areas before the doors are opened from the inside).
\- Preventing public access to the area when people are working alone or at night (e.g. via a security card or code, asking guests to leave the room while workers clean).
\- Providing facilities and amenities which give privacy and security (e.g. private and secure change rooms or facilities for workers to use which are separate from customers).
\- Separating workers from the public with fixed or removable barriers (e.g. high counters, furniture, screens on counters or screens between a driver and passenger).
\- Installing a service window for night transactions and systems like pay-at-the-pump.
\- Where practicable, providing a workspace for workers who are not able to work from home.

Visibility

\- Ensuring internal and external lighting provides good visibility, including in car parks.
\- Arranging furniture and partitions within the workplace to ensure good visibility of service areas, improve natural surveillance and avoid restrictive movement.
\- Improving natural surveillance in areas such as offices, storerooms and other segregated areas (e.g. using semi opaque glass or screens).

Environment

\- Ensuring there are no areas where workers could become trapped, such as rooms with keyed locks.
\- Implementing appropriate temperature and noise controls, such as in waiting areas to reduce customer frustration.
\- Securing any objects that could be thrown or used to injure someone.
\- Providing workers and others with a safe place to retreat. In other situations, it may be possible to move the person behaving inappropriately (e.g. an aggressive student could be removed from the classroom while the behaviour continues).
\- Ensuring a safe working environment for workers during travel (e.g. workers being in a vehicle together), at conferences, off site, at client or customer premises, and any other location where work is performed.