ACHSE & GHAAP Forum: ACHSE & GHAAP Forum: Incorporating Security into Health Incorporating Security into Health

Facility DesignFacility Design

Presenters :

Associate Professor Don RobertsonLeon Harris

Geoffrey Harris 14th June 2007

www.harriscrimeprevention.com.au

Tel: 1300 888 878

Security Master Licence 407778164

Associate Professor Don RobertsonAssociate Professor Don RobertsonDesigning Out Crime – Designing In SafetyDesigning Out Crime – Designing In Safety

Leon HarrisLeon HarrisSecurity & Safety in Hospitals – An OverviewSecurity & Safety in Hospitals – An Overview

Design ImplicationsDesign Implications

Design Implications cont.Design Implications cont.

Design Implications cont.Design Implications cont.

Planning for violent patients or those under escort– Treatment room set aside in emergency

clinical/consulting areas for potentially violent patients or patients under escort of police/correctional services

– Toilet in the emergency clinical/consulting areas for patients under escort of police/correctional services

Design Implications cont.Design Implications cont.

Storerooms – The alleged continuous theft of equipment from a

hospital unit averages $100,000 per year.

– Theft/removal of expensive medical equipment and furniture from a new hospital unit (including storerooms)

Design Implications cont.Design Implications cont.

Design Implications cont.Design Implications cont.

Securing of Staff Toilets/Change Rooms – To lock or not to lock

Cashiers Office  – Ventilation 

– Office Layout

– Door locking hardware, door and door surrounds

Design Implications cont.Design Implications cont.

Birthing, Post Natal, Paediatrics– How is access controlled?

– Fire stair accessible?

Installation of ATMs– Location

– Risk assessment

– Reference ‘WorkCover NSW Cash in Transit (CIT) Code of Practice’

Design Implications cont.Design Implications cont.

Emergency Lockdown– Can this be effectively undertaken?

– Security lock main entries however generally have no control over fire and other exits 

Department/Unit Lockdown– Units that do not operate 24/7 should be capable of

being locked down

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations

Protection of radioactive sources– The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety

Agency (ARPANSA) has developed a Code of Practice for the Security of Radioactive Sources.

– Technical equipment for protecting the Irradiator room is required to be endorsed by the Security Construction and Equipment Committee (SCEC), e.g. Type I alarm system.

Other Considerations cont.Other Considerations cont.

External Security Patrols– For consideration:

• Are external patrols necessary?

• Are there other options available?

Other Considerations cont.Other Considerations cont.

Training modules for security staff– There is no standardised (State Wide) training

– There is little or no personal development offered for managers/supervisors

– Reference should be made to AS 4485 Security for Health Care Facilities

– Robbery Prevention & Survival Training for Security staff, Cashiers, Pharmacy Aids and other staff at risk

Other Considerations cont.Other Considerations cont.

Contract Security– Refer AS 4421 for Guards and Patrols and Amendment

B 1999 Minimum Alarm Response Times

– Consider a comprehensive briefing

Geoffrey HarrisGeoffrey HarrisThe Nexus between Security Risk Management and The Nexus between Security Risk Management and

Emergency Risk ManagementEmergency Risk Management

Background to AS3745Background to AS3745

Standard established in 1991 to provide a basis for the Community to provide Emergency Procedures for Workplaces [described as buildings].

Revisions published in 1995 and 2002. Standard recognises the reality that emergencies in

buildings goes far beyond the fire emergency and should be applied to reflect this situation.

Procedures have moved with times dealing with new threats to the Community as they emerge e.g. bomb threats, white powder.

Background to AS3745Background to AS3745 cont. cont.

AS3745-2002 refers to other Standards e.g. AS4083 Planning for Emergencies – Health Care Facilities to ensure responses to emergency risks are covered in all aspects of the community.

There is no representation on the committee from the healthcare sector.

The new edition of AS3745 has gone through the public comment stage and after further deliberations is expected to be published this year.

The committee responsible for the Risk Management Standard AS/NZS4360 is driving for more RM in the revised 3745.

Character of the revised AS3745 Character of the revised AS3745

A re-stated focus on the safety of people during emergencies.

A structured means of developing procedures and organizational arrangements for dealing with emergencies.

Written in general terms to make it applicable to all types of occupiable buildings, structures and workplaces (except for patient areas of hospitals).

Encourages an all hazards approach. Supports the principles of OH&S and BCP (Business

Continuity Planning). Makes it clearer that ‘business resilience objectives’ and

‘corporate governance obligations’ have EM at its core.

Character of the revised AS3745 cont.Character of the revised AS3745 cont.

Reminds those responsible and accountable for EM that training to building occupants and relevant information of ALL building occupants is a fundamental requirement.

Places greater emphasis on the protection of people with disabilities during an emergency e.g. refuges.

Introduces issues and procedures relating to the terrorism threat and a more tangible relationship with security risk management.

Refreshes the minds of executives of the legal obligation to comply with chief warden’s instructions during an emergency.

Call to ActionCall to Action

Healthcare management should consider the value of :– Thoroughly considering architectural design that

improves surveillance of critical service areas (e.g. plant rooms) and the protection of personnel (e.g. service counter design) and the location of other security risks areas such as ATMs, and pharmacies that may attract criminal action which will be likely an ‘emergency’.

– If security officers are part of the Emergency Control Organization (ECO), consider the ‘what if’ questions relating to distraction from their security duties during an emergency.

– If security officers are part of the ECO, ensure they are suitable.

Call to Action cont.Call to Action cont.

– Develop realistic EM covering the range of terrorist and other criminal threats as part of audit, planning and training framework.

– Better understand the differential risk nature of their environment, e.g. staff working alone at 2am, or staff walking to their cars at night.

– Institute formal EM liaison and planning with other stakeholders in neighbourhood or local area.

Call to Action cont.Call to Action cont.

– Inter-connect AS3745 to other aspects areas of management as part of a cohesive, integrated corporate risk management framework, e.g.

– compliance programs,

– contractor management (including security contracts),

– employment contracts, and

– whistleblowing procedures

– Ensure your Security Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) have clear linkage and consistency with EM procedures.

– Leverage the CCTV system to record and evaluate training exercises.