Workplace Security Checklist

Facility: _________________________________________________
Address/Work Location: _________________________________________________
Assessment Done By: _________________________________________________
Date of Assessment: _________________________________________________

Security Control Plan

Has a Security Control Plan been developed? Yes ___ No ___
If yes, is it in writing? Yes ___ No ___
If yes, does it include:
A. A Policy Statement Yes ___ No ___
B. Evaluation of work areas Yes ___ No ___
C. Identification of control methods considered:
1. Engineering Controls Yes ___ No ___
2. Work Practice Controls Yes ___ No ___
D. Training Yes ___ No ___
E. Evacuation and Floor Plan Yes ___ No ___

Is the Security Control Plan accessible to all employees? Yes ___ No ___
Is the Security Control Plan reviewed and updated when a task
has been added or changed and at least annually? Yes ___ No ___
Have you coordinated your Security Control Plan with the
local law enforcement agency? Yes ___ No ___

A. Policy Statement
Is the policy statement clearly written and does it support zero tolerance?
Yes ___ No ___
B. Work Area Evaluation
Are all areas being evaluated? Yes ___ No ___
Comments:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

C. Control Measures
1. Engineering Controls
If appropriate, have the following engineering controls been implemented:
A. Door Control(s) Yes ___ No ___
B. Panic buttons Yes ___ No ___
C. Door detectors Yes ___ No ___
E. Closed circuit Yes ___ No ___
F. Stationary metal detector Yes ___ No ___
G. Sound detection Yes ___ No ___
H. Intrusion panel Yes ___ No ___
I. Monitors Yes ___ No ___
J. Video tape recorder Yes ___ No ___
K. Switcher Yes ___ No ___

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 Workplace Security Checklist

L. Hand held metal detector Yes ___ No ___

M. Other ______________________________

Have structural modifications been implemented? (e.g. Plexiglass, partitions, etc.)

Yes ___ No ___
If yes, comment
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

2. Work Practice Controls:

If appropriate, have the following work practice controls been implemented:
A. Desk clear of objects Yes ___ No ___
B. Unobstructed office exits Yes ___ No ___
C. Bare cubicles available Yes ___ No ___
D. Reception area available Yes ___ No ___
E. Visitor/client sign in/out Yes ___ No ___
F. Visitor(s)/client(s) escorted Yes ___ No ___
G. Counter top to separate clients from work area Yes ___ No ___
H. One entrance used Yes ___ No ___
I. Separate interview area(s) Yes ___ No ___
J. I. D. badges used Yes ___ No ___
K. Emergency phone numbers posted Yes ___ No ___
L. Internal phone system Yes ___ No ___
M. If yes, indicate:
a. Does it use 120 VAC building lines Yes ___ No ___
b. Does it use phone lines Yes ___ No ___
N. Internal procedures for conflict (problem) situations Yes ___ No ___
O. Parking lot well lighted Yes ___ No ___
P. Other
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Are Security Guards used at this facility? Yes ___ No ___

If yes, how many _____
A. At entrance(s) Yes ___ No ___
B. Building patrol Yes ___ No ___
C. Are they from a contracted security agency? Yes ___ No ___
If no, has consideration been given to the
local law enforcement response capability? Yes ___ No ___
Comments:______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

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 Workplace Security Checklist

D. Training
Has training been conducted? Yes ___ No ___
If yes, is it provided?
1. Prior to initial assignment Yes ___ No ___
2. Annually thereafter Yes ___ No ___

Does training include:

A. Components of security control plan Yes ___ No ___
B. Engineering controls instituted at the workplace Yes ___ No ___
C. Work practice controls instituted at the workplace Yes ___ No ___
D. Techniques to use in potentially volatile situations Yes ___ No ___
E. How to anticipate/read behavior Yes ___ No ___
F. Procedures to follow after an incident Yes ___ No ___
G. Periodic refresher for on site procedures Yes ___ No ___
H. Recognizing abuse/paraphernalia Yes ___ No ___
I. Opportunity for Q&A with instructor Yes ___ No ___

Are training records kept? Yes ___ No ___

E. Floor Plan, Evacuation Plan

Are evacuation plans current? Yes ___ No ___
Are floor plans posted showing exits, entrances,
location of security equipment, etc? Yes ___ No ___
F. Conclusions:
Do employees feel safe? Yes ___ No ___
Comments:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Comments and Recommendations based on this evaluation:

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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 Appendices
Appendix A: Not all of the questions listed here fit all types of
Sample Workplace Violence Factors retail businesses, and these checklists obviously do
and Control Checklists not include all possible topics specific businesses
need. Employers should expand, modify, and adapt
These sample checklists can help employers identify these checklists to fit their own circumstances.
present or potential workplace violence problems. These suggestions are not new regulations or stan-
They contain various factors and controls that are dards, and the fact that an employer does not adopt
commonly encountered in retail establishments. a listed control does not prove a violation of the
General Duty clause. (“N/A” stands for “not applica-
ble”).

Sample Checklist 1:

Yes No N/A Environmental Factors

Do workers exchange money with the public?
Is the business open during evening or late-night hours?
Is the site located in a high crime area?
Has the site experienced a robbery in the past 3 years?
Has the site experienced other violent acts in the past 3 years?
Has the site experienced threats, harassment, or other abusive behavior in the
past 3 years?
Yes No N/A Engineering Controls
Do workers have access to a telephone with an outside line?
Are emergency telephone numbers for law enforcement, fire and medical services,
and an internal contact person posted next to the phone?
Are emergency telephone numbers programmed into company telephones?
Is the entrance to the building easily seen from the street and free of heavy shrub
growth?
Is lighting bright in outside, parking and adjacent areas?
Are windows and views outside and inside clear of advertising or other
obstructions?
Is the cash register in plain view of customers and police cruisers to deter
robberies?
Is there a working drop safe or time access safe to minimize cash on hand?
Are security cameras and mirrors placed in locations that would deter robbers or
provide greater security for employees?
Are there height markers on exit doors to help witnesses provide more complete
descriptions of assailants?
Are employees protected through the use of bullet-resistant enclosures in locations
with a history of robberies or assaults in a high crime area?
Yes No N/A Administrative/Work Practice Controls
Are there emergency procedures in place to address robberies and other acts of
potential violence?
Have workers been instructed to report suspicious persons or activities?
Are workers trained in emergency response procedures for robberies and other
crimes that may occur on the premises?

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Yes No N/A Administrative/Work Practice Controls (continued)
Are workers trained in conflict resolution and in nonviolent response to threatening
situations?
Is cash control a key element of the establishment’s violence and robbery
prevention program?
Does the site have a policy limiting the number of cash registers open during
late-night hours?
Does the site have a policy to maintain less than $50 in the cash register?
(This may not be possible in stores that have lottery tickets and payouts.)
Are signs posted notifying the public that limited cash, no drugs, and no other
valuables are kept on the premises?
Do workers have at least one other person throughout their shifts, or are other
protective measures utilized when workers are working alone in locations with a
history of robberies or assaults in a high crime area?
Are there procedures in place to assure the safety of workers who open and close
the store?

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 Sample Checklist 2 – Self Inspection Security Checklist:
Reprinted with permission of the Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Workplace Violence
Prevention Program Loss ControlTIPS – Technical Information Paper Series

Facility:
Inspector:
Date of Inspection:

Security Control Plan? ❏ Yes ❏ No

If yes, does it contain:
Policy Statement? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Review of Worker Incident Exposure? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Methods of Control? ❏ Yes ❏ No
If yes, does it include:
Engineering ❏ Yes ❏ No
Work practice ❏ Yes ❏ No
Training ❏ Yes ❏ No
Reporting procedures ❏ Yes ❏ No
Recordkeeping ❏ Yes ❏ No
Counseling ❏ Yes ❏ No
Evaluation of incidents? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Floor Plan? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Protection of Assets? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Computer Security? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Plan accessible to all workers? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Plan reviewed and updated annually? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Plan reviewed and updated when tasks added or changed? ❏ Yes ❏ No

Policy statement by employer? ❏ Yes ❏ No

Work areas evaluated by employer? ❏ Yes ❏ No

If yes, how often? __________________________________________

Engineering controls? ❏ Yes ❏ No

If yes, does it include:
Mirrors to see around corners and in blind spots? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Landscaping to provide unobstructed view of the workplace? ❏ Yes ❏ No
"Fishbowl effect" to allow unobstructed view of the interior? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Limiting the posting of sale signs on windows? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Adequate lighting in and around the workplace? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Parking lot well lighted? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Door control(s)? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Panic button(s)? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Door detector(s)? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Closed circuit TV? ❏ Yes ❏ No

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Stationary metal detector? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Sound detection? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Intrusion detection system? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Intrusion panel? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Monitor(s)? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Videotape recorder? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Switcher? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Handheld metal detector? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Handheld video camera? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Personnel traps ("Sally Traps")? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Other? ❏ Yes ❏ No

Structural modifications
Plexiglas, glass guard, wire glass, partitions, etc.? ❏ Yes ❏ No

If yes, comment: _________________________________________

Security guards? ❏ Yes ❏ No

If yes, are there an appropriate number for the site? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Are they knowledgeable of the company WPVP Policy? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Indicate if they are:
______ Contract Guards (1)
______ In-house Workers (2)
At Entrance(s)? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Building Patrol? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Guards provided with communication? ❏ Yes ❏ No

If yes, indicate what type:_________________________________

Guards receive training on Workplace Violence situations? ❏ Yes ❏ No

Comments: ______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Work practice controls? ❏ Yes ❏ No

If yes, indicate:
Desks clear of objects which may become missiles? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Unobstructed office exits? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Vacant (Bare) cubicles available? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Reception area available? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Visitor/client sign in/out? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Visitor(s)/client(s) escorted? ❏ Yes ❏ No
One entrance used? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Separate interview area(s)? ❏ Yes ❏ No

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 I.D. badges used? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Emergency numbers posted by phones? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Internal phone system? ❏ Yes ❏ No
If yes, indicate:
Does it use 120 VAC building lines? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Does it use phone lines? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Internal procedures for conflict (problem) situations? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Procedures for worker dismissal? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Limit spouse & family visits to designated areas? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Key control procedures? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Access control to the workplace? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Objects which may become missiles removed from area? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Parking prohibited in fire zones? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Other:_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Workplace Violence Prevention Program © 2008 The Hartford Loss Control Department

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Sample Checklist 3 – Workplace Violence Inspection Checklist:
This checklist was adapted from Violence on the Job: A Guidebook for Labor and Management,
published by the Labor Occupational Health Program, University of California, Berkeley.

Staffing
Is there someone responsible for building security?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________
Who is it? ____________________________________

Are workers told who is responsible for security?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is adequate and trained staffing available to protect workers against assaults or other violence?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is there a “buddy system” to use when workers are in potentially dangerous situations?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are there trained security personnel accessible to workers in a timely manner?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Do security personnel have sufficient authority to take all necessary action to ensure worker safety?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are security personnel provided outside the building?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is the parking lot attended or otherwise secure?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are security escorts available to walk workers to and from the parking lot?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Training
Are workers trained in the emergency response plan (for example, escape routes, notifying the
proper authorities)?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are workers trained to report violent incidents or threats?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are workers trained in how to handle difficult customers?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

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 Are workers trained in ways to prevent or defuse potentially violent situations?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are workers trained in personal safety and self-defense?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Facility Design
Are there enough exits and adequate routes of escape?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Can exit doors be opened only from the inside to prevent unauthorized entry?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is the lighting adequate to see clearly in indoor areas?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are there worker-only work areas that are separate from public areas?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is a secure place available for workers to store their personal belongings?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are private, locked restrooms available for staff?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Security Measures
Does the workplace have:
Physical barriers (Plexiglas partitions, elevated counters to prevent people from jumping over
them, bulletproof customer windows, etc.)?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Security cameras or closed-circuit TV in high risk areas?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Panic buttons (portable or fixed)?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Alarm systems?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Internal phone system to activate emergency assistance?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Phones with an outside line programmed to call 911?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

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Two-way radios, pagers or cellular phones?
❏ Yes ❏No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Security mirrors (convex mirrors)?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Secured entry (buzzers)?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Personal alarm devices?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Outside The Facility

Do workers feel safe walking to and from the workplace?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are the entrances to the building clearly visible from the street?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is the area surrounding the building free of bushes or other hiding places?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is video surveillance provided outside the building?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is there enough lighting to see clearly outside the building?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are all exterior walkways visible to security personnel?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is there a nearby parking lot reserved for workers only?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is the parking lot free of bushes or other hiding places?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is there enough lighting to see clearly in the parking lot and when walking to the building?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Have neighboring facilities and businesses experienced violence or crime?

❏ Yes ❏No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

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 Workplace Procedures
Is public access to the building controlled?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are floor plans posted showing building entrances, exits?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are these floor plans visible only to staff and not to outsiders?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is other emergency information posted, such as telephone numbers?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are special security measures taken to protect people who work late at night (escorts, locked
entrances, etc.)?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are authorized visitors to the building required to wear ID badges?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are identification tags required for staff (omitting personal information such as the person’s last
name and Social Security number)?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are workers notified of past violent activity?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is there an established liaison with local police?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are broken windows and locks repaired promptly?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are security devices (locks, cameras, alarms, etc.) tested on a regular basis and repaired promptly
when necessary?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Field Work
Staffing:
Is there adequate staffing in the establishment?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are escorts or “buddies” provided for people who work in potentially dangerous situations?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

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Training:
Are workers briefed about the area in which they will be working (gang colors, neighborhood cul-
ture, language, drug activity, etc.)?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are workers who work late at night or early mornings advised about special precautions to take?
❏ Yes ❏
No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Work Environment:
Is there enough lighting to see clearly in all areas where workers must go?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are there safe places for workers to eat, use the restroom, store valuables, etc.?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are there places where workers can go for protection in an emergency?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is safe parking readily available for workers?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Security Measures:
Are workers provided two-way radios, pagers or cellular phones?
❏ Yes ❏No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are workers provided with personal alarm devices or portable panic buttons?
❏ Yes ❏No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are vehicle door and window locks controlled by the driver?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are vehicles equipped with physical barriers (Plexiglas partitions, etc.)?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Work Procedures:
Are workers given maps and good directions covering the areas where they will be working?
❏ Yes ❏No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are workers given alternative routes to use in neighborhoods with a high crime rate?
❏ Yes ❏No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Does a policy exist to allow workers to refuse service to unruly customers?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏
Sometimes Notes _________________________________

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 Has a liaison with the police been established?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Do workers avoid carrying unnecessary items, which someone could use as a weapon against
them?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is a safe vehicle or other transportation provided by the employer for use when conducting
company business?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are vehicles used in the field routinely inspected and kept in good working order?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Is there always someone who knows where each worker is while traveling during business
hours?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are workers notified of past violent acts committed by customers or other personnel?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Are special precautions taken when workers:

Perform “enforcement” functions (parking control officers, inspectors, etc.)?
❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Have to take something away from customers (illegal credit cards)?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Have contact with people who behave violently?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

Have contact with dangerous animals (dogs, rodents, etc.)?

❏ Yes ❏ No ❏ Sometimes Notes _________________________________

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