Safety at work is of paramount importance. In the professional environment, it’s crucial to apply the principles of security and risk assessment to protect employees and assets.
The United States Secret Service model, which focuses on the three elements of opportunity, ability, and circumstances to avoid an attack, can be adapted for workplace safety.
In this article, we will explore how to use this model to enhance safety and security in your workplace.
Opportunity: Minimize Vulnerabilities
Opportunity refers to the potential avenues for an attack or incident in the workplace. Minimizing these opportunities is the first step in workplace safety.
Access Control: Limit access to secure areas within your workplace. Use security badges, keycard systems, or restricted entry points to control who can enter critical locations. This helps reduce the opportunity for unauthorized access.
Cybersecurity: In the digital age, safeguarding your workplace against cyber threats is essential. Implement strong passwords, firewalls, and encryption to reduce the opportunity for data breaches and cyberattacks.
Workplace Violence Prevention: Develop clear policies and procedures for preventing workplace violence. Encourage employees to report concerns and provide a safe, confidential channel for doing so. Early intervention can help minimize the opportunity for violence.
Ability: Identify and Address Potential Threats
Understanding the ability of individuals to cause harm is a vital aspect of threat assessment in the workplace.
Employee Screening: Implement rigorous background checks and reference verification when hiring new employees. Knowing their history and qualifications can help ensure they possess the ability and qualifications for the job without posing threats.
Training and Education: Provide regular training on workplace safety, including how to recognize and address potential threats. Teach employees how to respond to emergencies and address potential dangers. Teach employees how to de-escalate and how to develop and maintain brain scripts for safety and awareness.
Employee Assistance Programs: Offer resources and support for employees dealing with personal or emotional challenges. By addressing potential threats, such as emotional distress, you can help maintain a safe working environment.
Behavioral Assessment Teams: Create and train an internal behavioral threat assessment team to work with HR. Behavioral Threat Assessment teams are a part of any healthy organization. When these teams gather to make assessments, it is with the intent to prevent harm and to provide assistance and wellness to all parties involved, if possible.
Circumstances: Adapt to Changing Work Conditions
Adapting to changing circumstances is essential to maintain a safe workplace.
Emergency Preparedness: Develop and regularly update emergency response plans for your workplace. Conduct drills and training exercises to ensure employees are prepared for various situations, from fires to medical emergencies.
Environmental Safety: Monitor and address environmental factors affecting workplace safety, such as hazardous materials, weather conditions, and building maintenance. Regular inspections and maintenance help control circumstances that could lead to accidents. Conduct annual risk assessments on all your facilities as a best practice.
Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication channels to keep employees informed about changing circumstances in the workplace. Timely communication can help ensure everyone knows of potential risks or procedure changes.
Conclusion
Applying the United States Secret Service model of avoiding attacks through opportunity, ability, and circumstances to workplace safety is a proactive and effective approach. By reducing opportunities for potential threats, addressing the abilities of individuals to cause harm, and adapting to changing circumstances, employers can provide a secure and safe working environment for their employees.
Workplace safety is not only a legal and ethical responsibility but also contributes to employee well-being, productivity, and retention. By implementing these principles, employers can create a culture of safety, reduce the risk of incidents, and ensure that the workplace remains a secure and positive place for everyone.
About the Author: Michael C. Kimball has over 30 years of experience as a sworn law enforcement officer in the State of California. Michael helped to co-develop the Monterey Peninsula Regional S.W.A.T. team and was both a Tactical Commander and later the Logistics Commander for the Team. Michael Co-Authored one of the State of California’s First Active Shooter Protocols back in the early 1990s and again post-Columbine.
In 1989 Michael Founded his company, and in 2000, his company formally became M.C. Kimball and Associates, LLC. Michael is a Nationally Certified Instructor in Option Based Training to Mitigate Active Killers and has traveled nationwide with Homeland Security since 2010, conducting train-the-trainer for School Districts, Hospitals, Businesses, Churches, and the Hospitality Industry in English and Spanish. In 2021 Michael and his executive team of experts developed the We’ve Got Your Back ™ Program (A Team Approach to School Safety), a trauma-informed, inclusive safety training program for students.
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