Security is about more than protecting people, property and assets. The role of a modern security officer extends far beyond preventing crime or managing access control. Through their constant presence, situational awareness and interaction with employees, visitors and contractors, security officers play a vital role in supporting workplace safety.
At Securitas, our core values of Integrity, Vigilance and Helpfulness underpin everything we do. While these values are fundamental to security operations, they are equally important in creating safer working environments for our clients and colleagues.
From security awareness to workplace safety
Of these values, Vigilance is perhaps the most powerful. Security officers continuously observe the environment around them, identifying potential threats, unusual activity and emerging risks. That same level of awareness can also help identify workplace hazards before they result in injury or ill health.
A damaged floor tile, obstructed emergency exit, leaking pipe, unsafe work practice or missing safety barrier may seem insignificant at first glance, but each has the potential to contribute to a future incident.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 places duties on employers and employees alike to protect their own safety and the safety of others. Creating a safe workplace is not solely the responsibility of management or the health and safety department. It relies on everyone playing their part in identifying hazards, reporting concerns and helping to prevent accidents before they happen.
How security officers can support hazard identification
This is where security officers can make a significant contribution. Often described as the "eyes and ears" of a site, they are uniquely positioned to observe hazards that others may overlook. Their role provides a valuable opportunity to transform observations into preventive action.
One of the most effective ways of doing this is through near miss reporting.
The importance of near miss reporting
A near miss is an event that could have resulted in injury, illness or damage but, fortunately, did not. While no one may have been harmed, the potential consequences were present. In many cases, near misses provide early warning signs that controls have failed, behaviours need correcting or hazards require attention.
Safety professionals have long recognised that serious accidents are often preceded by numerous less severe incidents and near misses. The lesson is simple: by learning from what almost happened, organisations can prevent what might happen next.
Turning reports into preventive action
However, the effectiveness of near miss reporting depends on more than simply collecting reports. Reports must be reviewed, acted upon and communicated back to those who raised them. When employees see meaningful action being taken, they are far more likely to continue reporting concerns and contributing to a positive safety culture.
As organisations reflect on their safety performance, a few important questions are worth considering:
- Do we actively encourage near miss reporting?
- Are near miss reports reviewed and acted upon in a timely manner?
- Do employees receive feedback on the concerns they raise?
- Do we recognise and celebrate proactive hazard reporting?
- Are security officers included in discussions about workplace safety and risk prevention?
The answers to these questions can provide valuable insight into the maturity of an organisation's safety culture.
Building a stronger safety culture together
At Securitas, Integrity means doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. Helpfulness means taking action to protect others. Combined with Vigilance, these values create a powerful foundation for accident prevention.
The safest workplaces are not necessarily those with the fewest reported hazards or near misses. They are the workplaces where people are encouraged to speak up, where concerns are treated seriously and where every observation is viewed as an opportunity to learn and improve.
Security officers as partners in workplace safety
By combining security awareness with proactive safety reporting, security officers contribute far more than security alone. They help create environments where people can work safely, confidently and free from avoidable harm.
Every near miss reported is an opportunity to prevent the next accident.