Manual:
Health and Safety
Subject:
Workplace/site Safety
Policy number:
GSS1001
Effective date:
September 2021
Date revised:
September 2021
Date of next review:
September 2022
Purpose
The purpose of the security policy is to ensure the:
• Prevention of incident and accidents related to security risk factors and other related
workplace/site hazards.
Policy Commitment Statement
Grid Security Services Ltd is committed to the providing a safe environment for everyone.
Grid Security Services Ltd recognizes the significant hazards related to workplace violence and
potential security risk factors, and the legal and moral responsibility to take every reasonable
precaution in the circumstances to protect employees and others. Our organization is committed
to providing financial and human resources for the development, implementation and maintenance
of a sustainable security protection and prevention program that will help to prevent or minimize
security risk factors through hazard recognition, assessment, control and evaluation processes. All
workplace parties are required to comply with the policy and any associated procedures as
appropriate.
Goals
• Develop, implement, maintain and annually evaluate the security program.
• Prevent and/or reduce the harm to people related to security risks and workplace-violence
hazards.
• Increase security awareness to all workplace parties and the public.
• Ensure those participating in security prevention and protection receive the necessary
training, and that records of training are maintained.
• Ensure that security equipment, materials and resources are provided and maintained.
• Ensure staff understand the roles and responsibilities of Security Personal
Scope
The security prevention program applies to everyone in the organization.
Definitions
Security. Security is the prevention of harm and property damage, the protection of property and
of all persons from potential harm related to workplace violence exposures, and various
occupational health and safety hazards. Security is ensured through proactive measures, processes,
monitoring, and patrolling, and through emergency responses as necessary. It may include, but is
not limited to, the implementation of a safety management plan; appropriately trained and
competent personnel who fulfill security functions, policy, procedures, processes, protocols, and
activities; and the use of equipment and materials.
Security guard. Means a person who, for hire or reward, guards or patrols for the purpose of
protecting persons or property or performs other prescribed functions. (The Private Investigators
and Security Guards Act, 1997).
Roles and Responsibilities
Employer
• Appoint a competent person to administer the security program.
• Ensure the development, implementation, maintenance and evaluation of a security
protection and prevention program, in consultation with the appropriate agencies.
• Ensure a workplace-violence risk assessment is conducted and that it includes security
risks.
• Advise the OHCs of workplace-violence assessments, including risks associated with
security.
• Provide any OH&S security-related reports to the OHCs including copy of any risk
assessment.
• Ensure the review and revision of OH&S security measures and procedures at least once a
year.
• Where the security program requires revision, consult with the OHCs and consider their
recommendations when developing, establishing and putting into effect the revised
measures and procedures.
• Consult the OHCs on security program training.
• Provide fiscal and human resources to support the security program, including training and
equipment.
• Approve and annually review the security program, policy and procedures.
• Enforce the security policy and procedures.
• Ensure there are processes in place to identify and assess security risks and hazards; and
identify, implement and evaluate security controls.
• Promote a culture of security and safety awareness.
• Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers.
Supervisor
• Participate in security risk-factor and hazard recognition, assessment, control and
evaluation processes in the areas under your authority.
• Be familiar with the security risks and OH&S legislation that applies to your work area.
• Enforce security policy and procedures.
• Post emergency numbers in a visible area.
Security Administrator or Delegate
• Ensure adequate knowledge, training and experience commensurate with the security
administrator function.
• Be familiar with the risks and legislation that apply to the work.
• Take a leadership role in corporate security and promote a security and safety culture
through an ongoing security-awareness communications and marketing plan.
• Develop a written corporate security program including a plan, policies, procedures, safe
work practices, and training. Determine appropriate security staffing levels and
competencies, and coordinate annual policy reviews.
• Ensure consultation with the OHCs when developing and revising security policies and
procedures.
• Implement, maintain and evaluate the security program.
• Identify metrics and quality indicators to evaluate the security program.
• Develop, implement, maintain and evaluate processes for recognizing, assessing,
controlling and evaluating security risk factors and hazards.
• Obtain and maintain appropriate security equipment and materials in compliance with
organizational purchasing policies and procedures, and approval processes.
• Address imminent threats of danger and implement necessary measures in response. Where
required, notify the OHCs.
• Work closely with local police, fire and EMS to manage threats to the organization.
• Be consulted on building renovations and new-building planning, considering architectural
design principles related to security.
• Ensure security functions are included in job descriptions of those performing security
administrator and security guard roles.
• Ensure those hired for security purposes are competent, qualified and adequately trained.
• Enforce policies and procedures.
• Participate in investigations related to security matters, and communicate improvements.
• Ensure that security is represented on the workplace-violence prevention committee.
• Take every precaution reasonable to protect workers and others.
Security Guard
• Ensure proper licensing under the Ministry of Justice.
• Maintain the license as a condition of employment and be able provide proof of licensing
at least annually.
• Report loss of licensed status to the manager.
• Participate in security training upon hire.
• Complete annual certification / re-certification in security training.
• Effectively perform and carry out security duties both verbally and physically, and in a
manner that reflects the core values of the organization.
• Fulfill relevant security-officer responsibilities related to the Criminal Code, common law
and case law, protection of other persons, defense of property, self-defence, seizure and
use of force; and under provincial and municipal
• Comply with security and organizational policies and procedures.
• Conduct patrols and inspections; guard; and respond to emergencies in compliance with
the organization’s policies and procedures.
• Report any hazards and deficiencies, and ensure corrective action is taken.
• Complete documentation in accordance with accepted standards.
• Carry out other duties as required by the manager/administrator — e.g., representation on
security on committees, etc.
• Participate in investigations related to security, and communicate findings to the security
administrator as required.
Occupational Health Committees (OHCs)
• Be consulted in the development and revisions of the workplace violence prevention
policies and program, including security per the Private Investigators and Security Guards
regulations, 2000
• Participate in investigations as outlined in the Occupational Health & Safety Act.
• Receive and review occupational health and safety-related security reports regarding
worker safety.
• Review workplace-violence risk assessments, including areas/responsibilities pertaining to
security.
• Conduct monthly inspections that include identification of security concerns or hazards.
• Make recommendations for improvement in writing to management as needed.
Communication
The security policy will be communicated to all management and employees at the time of hire
and on a regular basis.
Training
Grid Security Services Ltd is committed to develop and provide all management and employees
with security policy training, security awareness training and department-specific security training
relevant to the security-related risks in their employment and work locations. Training
development will be done in consultation with and in consideration of the recommendation of the
OHCs as required by legislation. Training will be provided at orientation and refreshers will be
provided on an ongoing basis. All training and training content will be documented and maintained
by the designated party — e.g., human resources, or an educator or manager. Employees will be
required to sign and date training records and, where applicable, perform tests of competency.
Based on the results of the workplace violence risk assessment, the employer must determine the
appropriate training methods for various workplace parties. These could include:
• theoretical training (e.g. lectures, webinars, on-line modules)
• applied training involving more active participation including “hands-on practice, tests,
drills, and exercises
Evaluation
The Corporate Security Policy will be evaluated, reviewed and approved annually by senior
management. Should the policy review lead to the conclusion that the measures and procedures
should be revised, or new procedures be developed, senior management will consult with the
OHCs and consider their recommendations when establishing and putting into effect the revised
measures, procedures and training. Quality improvements will be implemented as required and
these will be communicated to OHCs, employees and management.
Procedures
Procedures and safe work practices will be developed and customized by the organization and
would reflect the requirements identified on the risk assessment. Additional security related
policies and procedures may be made by the employer.
