Issue link: https://securitytechnologyexecutive.epubxp.com/i/956571
30 SECURIT Y TECHNOLOGY E XECUTIVE • Februar y/March 2018 • www. SecurityInfoWatch.com HOSPITAL SECURIT Y Remember the following advice: • Be aggressive – Remember it's you or them! • Know what makes an effective weapon. Look around for items that might be useful. For example, a fire extinguisher, chair, keyboard or potted plant • Know how to hit and run What else can you do to protect your employees from workplace violence? Training is essential. Regardless of the size of your staf f, providing some basic training for all employees is necessar y. However, given the seriousness of the situation, ideally the training should cover the following: • Travel Safety • Workplace Security • Building Accessibility It is also worth mentioning that it is essential that your security staff – if you have security staff – ought to be given specific training. There are a plethora of courses available, and given the nature of this situa- tion, it is helpful if the instruction is a mix of online and hands-on, in-person training. Many experts advise that managers receive additional training , or at the very least, training that covers how they should behave given they have employees reporting to them and who possibly will look to them for direction. The more you know about the potential of an attack, the more you can ensure the safety of your employees. Therefore, given that the attacker may be a disgruntled employee, in other words, someone familiar with the organization's EAP, it is always rec- ommended to have a Plan B, and that all employees are aware of an alternative place to gather and hide. Organizations should hold Active Shooter/Vio- lent Attacker drills as regularly as fire or earthquake drills. This training will reinforce the seriousness of this event because, despite the frequent news stories about violence in the workplace, some employees will not view the matter in the same light as a natural disaster. These employees could deem the prepara- tion and training unnecessary, or a waste of valuable resources. To counteract this attitude, it is advisable to use some of the relevant statistics provided by OSHA to encourage all members of staff to see the absolute necessity of such training. It is also imperative that local law enforcement is involved in the design of your EAP. They are in the best position to recommend a good location for all employees to convene. Additionally, since they will respond to the alarm call, the more they are familiar with your building /office, the easier time they will have gaining access. What to do in the aftermath of an attack. Regardless of the preventative steps, you might take, the reality is an active shooter situation could occur in your place of business. It is crucial to give your employees the guidance and assistance required both immediately after the event and for the future. Here is a checklist for actions to be taken following an incident: • Are all personnel and visitors accounted for at the meeting point? • Does anyone require medical assistance? • Who will contact family members? Does that individual have all the relevant contact details? • Have the local law enforcement and emergency services been contacted? • Who will activate communications outlets for updated information? • Has a Family Assistance Center been established? • Coordinate retrieval of personal belongings This is a checklist for actions to be taken over a more ex tended period following an incident: • Offer grief counseling • Connect employees with Employee Assistance Program – for more information about this go to OPM.gov • Process workers' compensation claims or other types of financial assistance • Enact continuity of operations plan and prepare to reopen facility No employer can afford to treat the risk of a vio- lent workplace attack lightly. In truth, in today 's climate, it is negligent not to be prepared for such an event. Given the prolific amount of information and training that is available, there is no reason why every business or organization across Amer- ica does not have an EAP that covers an active shooter scenario. John Arendes is the V ice President and GM Global Compliance Solutions for Skillsoft and is responsible for the leading the direction of our Global Compliance solutions. Prior to joining Skillsoft A rendes was Head of Compliance Learning , North A merica for Thomson Reuters. The goal is that every person gets away unharmed which is why escape is the first goal.