Tag Archives: public safety

General Safety Issues

PUBLIC SAFETY AND INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS (GUEST POST)

Burglars are a big problem for businesses, especially those that are in areas where no one is around at night time. Businesses in mixed use areas suffer from less break-ins than industries in business and industrial districts,  so those located in industrial parks should be particularly aware of the issues they face,  since there are no neighbors to notice suspicious activity. Industrial businesses also need to keep the public out of what could potentially turn into a dangerous situation.

Industrial parks are a good thing for commerce. They allow businesses to do things that residential neighbors wouldn’t tolerate and get access to resources they need easily, such as truck deliveries and railway lines for shipping. But with industrial parks come some risks. Because no one is around at night in most industrial parks when the companies are closed for the night, security can become a big issue. Unmonitored areas attract burglars who want to steal industrial supplies and tools,  so businesses in industrial zones need to ensure their trade is protected. Part of the problem, however, is not enticing burglars with obstacles that show the business has things of value. For instance, high fences around a building might be a clue that there is something valuable inside to protect, such as copper or machine parts.

Another issue businesses in industrial settings need to be wary of is the public wandering into places they don’t belong, either by mistake or on purpose. Industrial businesses often involve dangerous machinery that come with lots of safety requirements that the general public doesn’t know about. If someone wanders into your business into an area they shouldn’t be or a burglar breaks in and ignores safety signs, they can suffer injuries and you might be held liable.

The best way to solve these problems is to install a security system that not only prevents burglaries but also alerts the police if someone has broken in. Security systems with surveillance cameras deter burglars so there’s less chance that someone will try to break into your business. Monitored burglar alarms also alert the police that a break-in has occurred so they will respond to your business immediately, instead of finding out the next morning when you get to work that things have gone missing.  They are also an inconspicuous way to protect your business without attracting attention.

 Sent by Kim Herrington of 1stsecurity.com

High Visibility Safety

HIGH VISIBILITY SAFETY VESTS- Part I

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In January, 2006, the Federal Highway Administration published the most recent Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (The MUJTCD.)  This MUJTCD revision accepted and coded into law for the first time the ANSI 107-1999 High Visibility Apparel Standard.  The acceptance of the ANSI 107-2004 Standard (current revision) was a distinct advancement for highway workers.

For Public Safety Workers such as Fire, Police, State Patrol, Emergency Personnel, and other First Responders, however, the circumstances and use of High Visibility Apparel on the job was unclear.  Many Public Safety workers were exempted from using high visibility apparel, and were only partially covered by the ANSI 107 standard and the MUTCD.  In 2006, the FHWA announced that effective in 2006, ALL workers working on a highway that received federal funds must wear high visibility ANSI apparel.  The new rule now included Public Safety personnel, such as those named above, as they are a part of directing traffic, investigating crashes, handling lane closures, clearing obstructed roadways, and all other disasters within the right of way of federal highways.  All First Responders working on any highway that received federal funds were being advised to use ANSI High Visibility Apparel.  The vests must be Class 2 or Class 3.

There was the concern by Public Safety Workers that completing hazardous work such as heat/flame exposure, use of weapons and fire/chemical/electrical exposure, are all part of the risks of on-the-job traffic accidents and required judgment in the use of High Visibility apparel, and flexibility of design for these workers.

The ISEA, working in conjunction with select law enforcement, fire, rescue, EMS, and other city and state First Responder organizations began work on a new consensus standard specifically for Public Service Safety Vests.  The result was the publication of the ANSI 207 Public Safety Vest standard, approved by canvas method and published in late 2006, and it is hoped that the regulation will soon be amended, as the 207 is not intended to be interchangeable or replace the 107.   The ANSI 207-2006 accepted as “Best Practices” much of this standard as defined by the already published ANSI 107-2004 for workers.  In regard to definitions of fluorescent fabrics, retro-reflective tapes, 3rd party testing care labels, marking, and other requirements, the same standards for high visibility public safety are nearly identical.  The required amount of retro-reflective material is the same (201 square inches).

Our next segment will explain the details of the 207-2006 vests that Public Safety Workers felt would better meet their needs.  Stay tuned…………………

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

PUBLIC SAFETY-IT’S ALL AROUND US!

Have you ever stopped to think how many ways the public is protected from events that endanger our general safety from significant dangers, harm, or damage, such as crimes or disasters (natural or man-made)?  Look all around you, and see how many you can name.
When you walk into a bank, there’s a security guard.  At football games, notice the officers escorting the coaches off the field, and standing throughout the stadiums.  Parking lots or garages have security enforcement officers or personnel.  Schools have security personnel.

Frontline organizations are:

  • Police
  • Fire Department
  • EMS Personnel
  • Military Personnel

Others who serve to protect the public are:

  • Consumer Protection Agencies
  • Emergency Telephone Number Systems
  • Police Dispatchers
  • Code Enforcement Officers
  • Utility Inspectors
  • Health Inspectors
  • Animal Control Officers

The Federal Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control, Environmental Protection Agency, and many others regulate all the things that affect our everyday lives.
Federal and local government agencies plan, legislate, and oversee things that we sometimes take for granted.  Think about the National Guard, and just what that name means.

It’s up to us to comply with the laws.  Be aware of your own safety, and look around you.
There’s usually someone there to watch over you.