Part 2
In today's world, ensuring the safety and well-being of employees has become a paramount concern for organizations. While workplace emergencies can take various forms, the threat of an active shooter situation poses a particularly alarming and devastating risk. It is crucial for companies to prioritize the implementation of safe shelters within office spaces to protect their employees during such incidents.
The following first-hand account vividly illustrates the urgent need for secure shelter options within workplaces and highlights the potential consequences of inadequate safety measures.
“This is starting from the end because I didn’t know I was in an active shooter situation until it was almost at the end.
I was on one of the four units located on the first floor. I was in the hallway when a transporter entered the unit asking if we had heard the announcement of a code used when there was an emergency. No one had heard anything because the overhead intercom wasn’t working (this was corrected after the incident). The unit secretary called the operator and was told to contact Security. She called Security and was told there was a man with a gun in the corridor down the hall from the unit. She came down the hall, looking for the charge nurse and asked those in the hallway to start closing the patient room's doors. I was asked to assist with blocking the outer doors. This was when I realized the unit doors were unlocked (also corrected) and opened out into the hallway. This meant there was no way to secure or block the unit doors. The charge nurse and I put tables and anything we could move into the hallway. The charge nurse and I were at the door when we saw policemen in the hallway outside the unit. She suggested we go into the clean utility room which had a large window but could be locked. About this time, one of the Security officers came to the unit to inform us the shooter had been caught and the “All-Clear” was being given.
I returned to my desk in the basement of the building where the doors were locked and secured…from the inside.”
-Nurse Dionne L.
In this 5-part Blog Series, Shellter analysts take apart the situation as it unfolds, providing unparalleled analysis and key takeaways that could save YOUR life.
To See Part 1 – Click Here
Lets jump right in;
The Critical Importance of Practice Runs and Secure Shelters:
"I was asked to assist with blocking the outer doors. This was when I realized the unit doors were unlocked ... and opened out into the hallway. This meant there was no way to secure or block the unit doors."
The testimony reveals a critical flaw in the workspace's infrastructure which we too often find. The unit doors opened into the hallway, making them unable to be locked or secured. In emergency situations, such vulnerabilities can prove catastrophic, leaving employees exposed and defenseless.
Action Items:
Conduct a security assessment of the office space: Evaluate the current infrastructure, including the layout of doors and access points, to identify vulnerabilities that could compromise employee safety during an active shooter situation such as the one above, where the doors to the unit are both unlocked, and open outward. Where possible, engage security professionals or consultants to provide expert insights and recommendations.
Implement secure shelter spaces: Identify areas within the office space that can serve as secure shelters during emergencies. These spaces should have lockable doors, reinforced structures, and adequate protection from potential threats. Consider retrofitting existing rooms or constructing dedicated safe rooms that meet established safety standards.
Important Note from Master Chief Navy Seal and CEO of Shellter, Frank Bosia
“According to OSHA, all bathroom doors must swing inward, this means the bathroom of all workspaces, is a perfect door to barricade. In times of danger, the bathroom can be a great option, it has running water, facilities, and are centrally located and easily accessible. This is where most all of our Shellters are installed.”
Establish door security measures: Ensure that all doors, especially those leading to secure shelter spaces, can be easily locked and secured from the inside. Install high-quality locks, access control systems, or panic hardware to prevent unauthorized entry and provide employees with the ability to barricade themselves safely.
Practice lockdown procedures: Develop comprehensive lockdown procedures and provide training to all employees. Educate them on how to quickly recognize the need for lockdown, properly secure doors, and take shelter in designated safe spaces. Conduct drills to practice these procedures regularly.
Enhance physical security measures: Evaluate the office space's physical security measures, such as surveillance cameras, alarms, and access control systems. Ensure that they are properly installed, functional, and monitored. Consider employing security personnel or partnering with a security service provider to enhance on-site protection.
Collaborate with building management or landlords: Engage in conversations with building management or landlords to address security concerns and explore possible infrastructure modifications. Advocate for changes that prioritize employee safety, such as installing secure doors or reinforcing existing ones.
Important Note from Chief of Communications, Mickey Lebovic
“We need to communicate to Executives the change in thinking we are seeing in the workplace in regard to active shooter situations. It is turning from a casual safety discussion to a legal liability situation. In a recent nationwide study conducted by an independent research firm, nearly 80% of office workers feel that it would be negligent of a building owner/property manager not to provide solutions to the active shooter scenario.”
Review and update safety policies and procedures: Regularly review and update safety policies and procedures to align with industry best practices and evolving threats. Provide regular training and reminders to reinforce the importance of following safety protocols.
Seek legal and compliance guidance: Consult legal and compliance professionals to ensure that the implementation of secure shelter spaces and related security measures complies with relevant laws, regulations, and building codes.
Conclusion
By taking these action items into consideration, organizations can address critical infrastructure flaws, create secure shelter spaces, and enhance the overall safety of employees during active shooter situations. Remember, proactive measures can save lives and without safety measures in place organizations may be held liable.
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