“Thank you” is a phrase that can transform behaviors, attitudes, and even a facial response. We teach our children that it is a customary form of civility and manners. However, many of us are guilty of not thanking the silent heroes at our church, school, and camp facilities—our safety officers.
Safety officers are responsible for evaluating the seen dangers and anticipating other safety threats at your facility. They work with your ministry’s leadership to put safeguards in place to protect you and those who visit. It’s their quiet work behind the scenes that minimizes the number of mishaps and continues to push towards safety.To show our appreciation, consider the following:
Leave No Mess on the Floor – A common insurance claim comes from slips, trips, and falls. Whether it is wrinkled carpet or a puddle left on the tile floor, this is a safety hazard for anyone passing by. Show your appreciation to your safety officers by addressing these risks as you see them. Straighten out the carpet, clean up the wet spot, or place a sign nearby to alert others of the danger. During the winter season, do your part by using ice melting tools on steps, driveways, and other potentially slippery surfaces. Before you shake the water off your umbrella on the tile entrance, think of others who will follow you and clean up any water puddles you may leave behind.
Report Safety Hazards Immediately – A safety officer cannot be everywhere at all times so we should be empowered to report potential dangers to them whenever we see them. If you see a crack in the bathroom ceiling, a break in the sidewalk causing an uneven surface, or a crack in the kitchen’s counter allowing water to seep through, say something! Tell your ministry safety officer about these potential hazards. Identifying the wall crack might alert your leaders to unseen structural damage that should be repaired as soon as possible. Smoothing out the crack in the sidewalk could prevent a tripping hazard, which could cause unnecessary and costly accidents. Sealing the crack in the kitchen counter might avoid water damage to the counter and mold.
Secure all Potential Safety Breaches – Before you step away, even for a moment, from an unlocked church computer screen, take a moment to secure all member information that could be accessed while you’re away. Identity theft continues to be a risk facing all organizations, large or small. Thank your safety officer for keeping facilities safe by taking a few moments to keep your member information safe. Secure the electronics in your workspace, double-check to make sure doors and windows are locked. Close window blinds when you leave to prevent access or visibility by intruders to your ministry’s resources.
Security is also important for our children. Avoid incidents by planning for adequate supervision during youth activities. Prevent opportunities for abuse by having open panel doors and windows that allow passersby to see what is going on inside a room at all times. Verify all volunteers and staff members with a background check before they are authorized to work with children and teens.
These are just a few ways we can say “thank you” to our safety officers. It is our responsibility to support them by proactively addressing safety concerns. Keeping us and those who visit our facilities safe from harm is a job that cannot be done by one individual. We must assist whenever we see a safety concern. Ultimately, we are keeping ourselves safe and protecting our ministry’s investments by looking out for potential risks.
Show your appreciation to your safety officer today by doing your part!
