Police

Police officers, law enforcement officers, security officers and people in related positions may be called to any number of work environments, and perform a variety of tasks.

The main duties of a police officer, among others, are to:

• Respond to emergency calls such as crimes, accidents, violent situations, and natural disasters.
• Patrol assigned areas to maintain public safety.
• Enforce laws and regulations.
• Control traffic during emergencies, road work, etc.
• Investigate crimes and accidents.
• Perform first aid.
• Educate the public on crime prevention and safety.

Police work is among the most dangerous and requires special training. The hazards of police work include:

• Violent attacks.
• Standing or sitting for long hours.
• Exposure to contagious and infectious diseases from people, animals, needles, and other sources.
• Exposure to various chemical or biological hazards.
• Pain from physical overexertion, and prolonged or awkward body postures.
• Exposure to extreme temperatures and UV radiation.
• Noise.
• Slips, trips and falls.
• Fatigue from shift work.
• Psychological stress or trauma.
• Working alone.
• Risk of injury from the various locations where police may be called to: fire, explosion, unstable structures and surfaces, falling objects, or working at heights or near traffic, water, confined spaces, large crowds, violent situations, etc.
• Danger of driving at high speeds, often in difficult traffic or weather conditions.

• Have extensive safety and skills training.
• Exercise regularly to keep fit and reduce the risk of injury.
• Wash your hands frequently, to reduce the chance of infection.
• Use personal protective equipment or others barriers for the task.
• Learn safe lifting techniques.
• Always be aware of your surroundings, and on the alert for dangerous people or situations.
• Take breaks, as appropriate, from awkward positions or repetitive physical tasks.
• Follow a recommended shift work pattern and protect yourself from the hazards associated with shift work.
• Follow or establish safety procedures for working alone, or for avoiding working alone wherever possible.
• Learn about stress and post-traumatic stress, and consider a debriefing session or counselling after a critical or traumatic event.
• Have first aid training.

Ensure that you are trained and informed on how to avoid the various health and safety hazards of your job. Read about these:

• Chemical hazards and WHMIS.
• Blood borne diseases.
• The importance of hand washing.
• Needlestick injuries.
• Proper selection, use, maintenance and storage of personal protective equipment.
• Safe lifting techniques.
• Preventing slips, trips and falls.
• Shift work.
• Working alone.
• Fire safety.
• Fall protection.
• Safe driving.

Always:

• Follow the established safety procedures for your profession.
• Know how to report a hazard.
• Follow good housekeeping procedures.