Safety and Security at the Workplace

Safety and Security, like Training and Development, are often left on the back burner until a crisis occurs. By then, people fall victim to crime, get robbed, get assaulted, become sick or even die. The purpose of security is protecting employees and organizational facilities. As such ensuring that proper security measures are in place has become a great concern for both employers and employees. Security encompasses areas such as security of the property itself, company assets, employees' and customers' personal belongings and valuables, life security, personal security, and job security.
OSHA defines workplace violence as a physical assault, threatening behavior, verbal abuse, hostility, or harassment directed toward employees at work or on duty. ASIS International, an organization for security professionals, found that workplace violence affects more than 2 million workers each year. In the United States, 20% of all violent crimes occur in the workplace. The best protection employers can offer is to establish a zero tolerance policy for workplace violence against or by employers. However, there is no way an employer can completely avoid risk when it comes to violence. HR staff should be trained in how to skillfully handle difficult employment issues. Some actions to minimize workplace violence includes implementing policies that ban weapons on company property; periodic examinations to determine workers mental fitness; have a policy that encourages workers to report all suspicious or violent activity to management; develop relationships with mental health experts who will be available when emergencies arise.

Employees Rights and Responsibilities
Substance abuse involves the use of illegal substances or the misuse of controlled substances such as alcohol or drugs. The consequences of substance abuse in the workplace include excessive absenteeism; increase of accidents and damages to equipment; increase health-care needs; and increase in theft and