| Business Safety Tips | <div class="ExternalClassE809D4FE769C46A7A96A18CDC3F6F3AE"><div style="margin-left:7px;margin-right:7px;"><li> Post "We Are a Drug-Free Workplace" or similar signs in areas where employees routinely travel and can easily be seen. Post similar signs where job applicants can see them.</li><li> Circulate substance-abuse prevention education materials (e.g., pamphlets/videos) to all supervisors, managers and other employees annually. A short reminder notice of your drug free workplace company policy should be included inside pay envelopes at least once per calendar quarter.</li><li> Perform pre-employment drug testing on every new hire. Those testing "positive" for drugs should have their employment offer immediately rescinded no matter how qualified they might otherwise appear to be for the position and no matter how badly you need to fill the position.</li><li> Include a statement - "Employment subject to passing a drug test" or "We drug test all new hires" - in all help-wanted advertisements.</li><li> Randomly drug test at least 50 percent of your employee base annually. Depending on the number of employees, perform random testing at least monthly or weekly.</li><li> Test an employee for "reasonable suspicion" whenever reasonable cause is justified by virtue of their display of any behavioral or physical indicators of drug-use, including a dramatic change in work performance.</li><li> Arrange substance-abuse awareness training for supervisors and managers at least once per year. Such training will help them to identify the indicators of drug-use among their crew and teach them the most effective methods of isolating and preventing a possible drug-use related workplace problem before it becomes a crisis.</li><li> "Post-accident" drug test an employee whenever justified by serious injury, damaged/loss of property, or life. At least 40 states will consider a denial of workers' compensation benefits when an accident is caused by your employee whose post-accident drug test is positive for illicit drugs. The majority of those 40 states also will consider a denial of unemployment benefits for that same reason.</li><li> Use only federal/state certified labs for the analysis of all specimens that are sent to a lab.</li><li> Have all specimens that initially test "positive" (including those based upon results of on-site drug test devices or kits) re- tested by a certified lab.</li><li> Utilize the services of a medical review officer for all positive results.</li><li> Ensure that all test results of employees are kept strictly confidential! Inform only those with a "need to know" of final drug test results and maintain all results with strict security.</li><li> Impose all terms of the written testing policy strictly, fairly and equally with all employees.</li>
<span style="font-size:10px;">American Crime Prevention Institute; The Complete Commercial and Retail Crime Prevention Manual; First Edition, June 2006, appendix 3, pgs 215-217.</span><br><br>
<strong>WHAT CAN YOU DO?</strong><br>There are ways to get help for an individual you suspect has an alcohol or other drug problem. Talk to someone who can help - The Employee Assistance Program, the Human Resources Department or a supervisor. In a confidential manner, they discuss with the individual poor job performance, company policy regarding problems with alcohol and other drugs and treatment alternatives.<br>
<li> <strong>Workplace Violence</strong><ul><li> <strong>Employees</strong><ul><li> Is your office secure? Do you have easy- to-use phone systems with emergency buttons, sign-in policies for visitors, panic buttons, safe rooms, security guards, office access controls, good lighting, and safety training?</li><li> Does your employer take care in hiring and firing? Before hiring, are employment gaps, history, references, and criminal and educational records thoroughly examined? Are termination procedures defined clearly with attention to advance notice, severance pay, and placement services?</li><li> Could you recognize potentially violent employees? Signs of stress that could erupt into violence include: depression, frequent absences, talking in a louder-than-normal voice, being startled easily, increased irritability and impatience, and concentration and memory problems.</li><li> Are you encouraged to report unusual or worrisome behavior? Is there a clear, written policy that spells out procedures in cases of violence and sanctions for violators? Make sure you know to whom you should report unusual behaviors.</li><li> Do you work in a supportive, harmonious environment? Is there a culture of mutual respect? Does your employer provide an employee assistance program (EAP)?</li></ul></li><li> <strong>Employers</strong><ul>
Do you???
<li> Thoroughly screen job applicants. </li><li> Create an employee-friendly work climate with good communication and respectful management style. </li><li> Make an effort to get to know your employees so management can recognize signs of trouble.</li><li> Publicize and act on a "zero tolerance" policy where everyone knows that violent, bullying, sabotaging, or harassing behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. </li><li> Establish thoughtful, respectful, common-sense ways of handling layoffs and terminations. </li><li> Take swift action to deal with possible threats even if vague or only suspicious.</li></ul></li><li> <strong>Dealing with Angry People/Confrontations</strong><ul><li> <em>Give the angry person some choices</em> -- This allows them to maintain some sense of control. For example, you might say, 'Mr. Jones, would you like to talk about your benefits first or you’re lost ID card?" Or, "Ms. Jones, do you want me to see what I can find out about your application on the computer or do you want to tell me the whole story first?" </li><li> <em>Ask for clarification</em> -- This is a good "slowing down" tactic when anger is rising. Example: "Mr. Jones, I know that you are upset, but can I stop you just one minute to make sure I understand what you've said so far so I can help? Did you say that your ID is lost or that you never got it in the mail?" </li><li> <em>Watch your tone of voice</em> -- Speaking calmly, slowly, quietly, and in an interested and concerned manner may be hard when someone is screaming at you, but if you scream back, use sarcasm, talk down to the person, or express anger, this will only make the complaining person more angry! </li><li> <em>Be assertive</em> -- In your calm tone of voice, you can also show self-confidence, control and a positive manner. For example, 'Ms. Jones, I know that you are upset, but I'm sure I can help you if we just take this one step at a time. Now, let me ask you ..." </li><li> <em>Apologize or agree with them without making excuses or pointing out how they also contributed to the problem</em> -- This may be the hardest thing to do since you may have done nothing wrong, but you can probably find something to apologize for or agree with to calm the person and encourage cooperation. Even starting out with a phrase as simple as "I'm sorry that happened ..." can be helpful. </li><li> <em>Ask a simple favor</em> -- Stop, pause, and ask some simple favor. For example, "Ms. Jones, excuse me, but can we step across the hall to another area so you can have some privacy while we talk?" Or "Mr. Jones, can you hand me that pad of paper, so I can take some notes on what you're telling me?" </li><li> <em>Increase personal space</em> -- Move back if necessary to put a distance of 3 to 5 feet between you and your upset visitor. </li><li> <em>Watch your body language</em> -- Avoid quick gestures and use small, slow gestures instead keeping your palms up rather than down. Never touch the person yourself to try to escort him/her from the area. Even a gentle push or holding the person's arm may be interpreted as an assault by an agitated individual. And the person may respond with violence towards you or file a lawsuit later. </li></ul></li>
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<li> <strong>Taxi Driver Safety</strong><ol><li> Radio and the dispatcher. These are your most vital assets in the vehicle. The dispatcher can assist you in most any event that would occur. Know how to use the radio correctly.</li><li> Be alert and aware. Don’t allow yourself to become complacent and obtain “tunnel-vision”.</li><li> Do not flash or display your money.</li><li> Size up your passenger - assess risk. Most passengers will pose some level of risk to you. Read them - assess them, then act accordingly. You must remember this point: Never underestimate anybody!</li><li> Greet-and maintain eye contact with the fare when picking up.</li><li> Know the city.</li><li> Trust your instincts. All your life while you grew up you learned things and stored the experiences in your mind. These learned experiences make up our "data" banks. These banks provide us with knowledge and understanding. These banks are what cause your "instincts" to react. These reactions are very real. Your gut instinct will be right 99% of the time. Listen to what your body is telling you! </li><li> Know emergency procedures.</li><li> Always keep your windows rolled up. It doesn’t have to be all the way up. It can be open enough to speak through to someone.</li><li> Always keep you doors locked. This is extremely important if you are sitting at a stand, or on the street. Often you may be reading a paper or book while waiting for that next trip, and you sure don't want someone to come up beside you on foot without you noticing them and jerking open your door and attacking you. This also provides you the method to force the customer into the rear seats if you wish, or to ensure they sit on the right side of the rear seat, not behind you if at all possible. The idea is not to be taken by surprise.</li><li> Be extra careful late at night. The most dangerous hours for you to operate in are between 6:00 pm in the evening and 6:00 am in the morning. In particular, the darkest hours between 12:00 midnight and 04:00 am. Most assaults and robberies committed against taxi drivers occur during these late hours. At this time of the night, there a few people around as witnesses, and many of your customers will have been drinking, and liquor always causes trouble. And of course we all know, most criminals prefer to conduct their business in the dark hours. Even though these can be your most tiring hours, you cannot afford to be careless and unaware. You must maintain a high state of alertness during these periods of time. </li><li> Be aware of passengers who give you "vague" instructions. This is usually a trap for armed robberies or other crimes to occur.</li><li> Be careful of passenger seated behind you (Primary danger Zone). This is the seat where you are most vulnerable to an attack from a rear occupant.</li><li> Keep an eye on suspicious passengers.</li><li> Never tell customers you had a good shift. If the occupant is out to get you, you just told him you made a lot of money. Keep that to yourself.</li><li> Carry a spare key.</li><li> Never, ever, drive into alleys or back lanes.</li><li> Know your location at all times.</li><li> Check all emergency equipment at the start of shift.</li><li> Never take more than 4 passengers.</li><li> Encourage the use of credit or debit cards. This is less cash you will have on hand to be stolen if you are robbed.</li><li> Do not be aggressive or argumentative.</li><li> Keep calm - do not panic. Important potions of information are easily overlooked when you lose your wits. Remain focused if something happens to you.</li><li> DO NOT RESIST a robbery (co-operate). The money isn’t worth your life. </li><li> Look for an escape opportunity. If you can safely get away from criminal action, by all means take that step. Don’t do anything that would get yourself or others harmed.</li><li> Memorize the suspect's description. Also, get a direction of travel, what type of weapon was used (if any) and if the suspect used another vehicle to get away from the scene.</li></ol></li>
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Owners, management and employees should incorporate these basic steps into your daily business practices <ul><li> Owners/Management:<ul><li> Carefully screen all employees before hiring them. </li><li> Keep a minimum amount of money on hand. </li><li> Train employees on security measures and cash handling policies. </li><li> Provide employees with a place to adequately secure their belongings(such as purse, wallet, keys, coat and other valuables items) during work hours.</li><li> Insure all doors and windows are sturdy and have adequate locks. </li><li> Install adequate lighting inside and outside. Remember burglars look for dark places or some form of cover. A well illuminated property is less appealing. </li><li> Park Company vehicles away from the building at night where they do not block the view of entrances. </li></ul></li><li> Employees:<ul><li> Keep your purse, wallet, keys and other valuables items with you at all times or locked in a drawer or closet. </li><li> Check the identity of any strangers who are in your office. Ask whom they are visiting and if you can help them find that person. If they make you uncomfortable, inform security or management about your suspicions. </li><li> Always let someone know if you are going to be working early or late. </li><li> Report any broken or flickering lights, dimly lit corridors, doors that do not lock properly or broken windows. Don't wait for someone else to do it. </li><li> Be discreet. Don't advertise your social life or vacation plans and those of your coworkers to people visiting or calling your place of work. </li></ul></li>
<br><br><strong>Resources:</strong><ul><li> <a href="/HNS">Neighborhood Development </a></li><li> <a href="/HNS">Code Enforcement Services </a></li><li> <a href="/HNS">Neighborhood Matching Grant </a></li><li> <a href="/HNS">Economic Development Office </a></li><li> <a href="/HNS">Security Grant Program </a></li></ul>
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