What is Outside your Responsibility
As a (FOHSO), your role is vital in ensuring the safety and security of the premises. However, it’s just as important to understand where your responsibilities end and when other departments take over. By recognising what is outside your role, you can maintain professionalism, avoid security risks, and ensure that you are always acting within the scope of your position.
While your tasks may often involve interacting with the public and staff, it’s crucial that you remain focused on security responsibilities to prevent role confusion and potential mistakes. This section will explore specific tasks that should not fall within your scope, helping you to stay compliant with UK security standards and focus on what really matters: keeping the premises safe.
Key Areas Outside Your Responsibility
1. Customer Service Beyond Security Needs
As a FOHSO, you will often interact with visitors and staff. However, it’s important to distinguish between your security duties and general customer service tasks. Providing directions or assisting with complaints is often outside your scope, unless it directly impacts security.
What’s Outside Your Responsibility:
- Booking services such as taxis, restaurants, or transportation for visitors.
- Providing non-security-related information about the building (e.g., amenities, local area recommendations).
- Handling customer complaints unrelated to security or safety concerns.
Example
- A visitor asks you to help them make a reservation at a local restaurant. While it’s great to be helpful, this is a concierge duty, not a security responsibility. Politely explain that this request should be handled by the reception or concierge team, and offer to direct them accordingly.
2. Facility Maintenance and Repairs
You may encounter maintenance issues during your daily patrols, such as broken lights, leaking pipes, or faulty equipment. However, fixing these issues falls outside the scope of your duties. It’s your job to report the problem, but not to address it yourself.
What’s Outside Your Responsibility:
- Performing repairs or maintenance (e.g., fixing a lightbulb or repairing equipment).
- Cleaning up spills or handling hazardous materials (unless there is a direct safety risk).
- Fixing or replacing broken equipment.
Example
- During your patrol, you notice a broken light fixture in the corridor. Rather than trying to fix it yourself, report it to the facilities team immediately and make sure it’s logged for maintenance. This ensures that the issue gets addressed by the right professionals without compromising your security duties.
3. Handling Medical Emergencies Beyond Basic First Aid
While first aid training is often part of a FOHSO’s role, more complex medical situations should be handled by professionals. You may be the first to respond in an emergency, but advanced medical care should always be left to qualified medical staff or emergency services.
What’s Outside Your Responsibility:
- Administering medical treatments beyond basic first aid (e.g., CPR or using advanced medical equipment).
- Diagnosing medical conditions or offering professional health advice.
- Handling mental health crises without specialised training.
Example
- A visitor suddenly collapses and appears to have had a seizure. While you should offer (checking for breathing, ensuring they are in a safe position), contact emergency services immediately for proper medical assistance. Never attempt to diagnose or treat conditions outside of your training.
4. Legal and Financial Decisions
As a FOHSO, you are not qualified to make legal decisions or manage financial matters. This includes resolving disputes, engaging in legal proceedings, or dealing with financial transactions. If you are asked to make these decisions, it’s important to refer them to the appropriate department.
What’s Outside Your Responsibility:
- Handling legal disputes or providing legal advice.
- Managing financial transactions, payments, or contracts.
- Engaging in legal processes like enforcing contracts or initiating legal action.
Example
- A colleague from the finance team asks you to resolve a payment issue with a visitor. While you may need to report the issue to the relevant department, resolving the financial dispute is not within your remit. Direct the visitor to the finance or customer service team.
5. Supervising or Managing Other Employees
You are not responsible for managing or supervising other employees unless your role specifically requires it. Your primary focus should be on security, and leadership or HR responsibilities should be left to managers or other qualified personnel.
What’s Outside Your Responsibility:
- Supervising colleagues or managing their performance.
- Scheduling or assigning work to other security officers.
- Handling HR matters like employee complaints or disputes.
Example
- You’re asked to resolve a conflict between two security officers about their shifts. While it’s great to be helpful, this is an HR responsibility and should be escalated to a supervisor or manager who handles such matters.
Consequences of Taking on Responsibilities Outside Your Role
Taking on tasks outside of your responsibilities can lead to several consequences:
- Security Gaps: If you focus too much on non-security duties, important security tasks may be neglected, leaving the premises vulnerable to breaches.
- Legal Risks: If you perform tasks you’re not qualified for, you and the organisation may be exposed to liabilities or legal action.
- Confusion Among Staff: When roles are unclear, miscommunication can occur, leading to inefficiency and mistakes, and potentially compromising security.
Real-World Incident: The Risk of Going Beyond Your Role
| Incident | Consequences |
|---|---|
| Scenario: Handling a Disruptive Visitor | Security Gaps: By trying to placate the visitor with a complimentary service like directing them to a café for a break, you neglected other security duties. This could have led to unauthorised access or unattended areas of the premises. |
| Scenario: Performing a Maintenance Task | Legal Risks: Attempting to fix a broken lock during your patrol, instead of reporting it to the facilities team, could have voided the building’s insurance policy. If something went wrong, you and the organisation could be held liable. |
| Scenario: Giving Legal Advice | Confusion Among Staff: Offering legal advice without qualification could create confusion among your team and potentially lead to misunderstandings about company policy, undermining your professional standing. |
Stay Focused and Professional
Understanding what’s outside your responsibility is crucial for maintaining a secure environment. By focusing on your core duties, monitoring access, conducting patrols, and responding to emergencies, you ensure that the building remains safe and secure. While it’s tempting to help in other areas, know when to say no and direct the request to the appropriate department. By doing so, you’ll stay on top of your role, maintain professionalism, and keep everyone safe.
