Dynamic Risk Assessments on Patrol
When you’re patrolling, you’re not just a presence — you’re a problem solver. Hazards can appear suddenly, and it’s your job to spot them before they cause harm. As a security officer, you are often the first to encounter situations that others may miss — whether it’s a wet floor at a building entrance, a loose cable in a corridor, or poor lighting on a stairwell. Unlike planned inspections, a Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA) is all about making quick, sensible decisions in real time. It’s a vital skill that reflects your professionalism and directly protects staff, visitors, and the reputation of the site you are guarding.
Patrolling with DRA awareness also builds confidence in your role. Instead of simply reacting when something goes wrong, you are actively preventing accidents before they happen. This mindset turns a routine patrol into a safety safeguard, showing clients and employers that you are not just providing security but also upholding health and safety standards. Over time, this proactive approach reduces incidents, strengthens trust in your abilities, and highlights the value of having skilled, alert officers on the ground.
What is a Dynamic Risk Assessment?
A Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA) is a quick, on-the-spot evaluation of potential risks. Unlike formal written assessments, DRAs are:
Immediate – carried out in the moment.
Practical – based on what you see and know right now.
Flexible – adapting to changes during your shift.
Think of it like having your hazard “antenna” switched on 24/7.
Example: While patrolling a car park, you spot loose gravel scattered across a pedestrian walkway. That wasn’t there during your last round. Your DRA tells you: this could cause someone to slip or twist an ankle. You act immediately by reporting it and warning staff nearby.
Why They Matter for Security Officers
Legal and Professional Context
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – requires everyone to play their part in safety.
HSE Guidance – expects workers to prevent foreseeable harm.
SIA Standards – emphasise professionalism, awareness, and diligence.
BSI/NSI Codes – encourage high standards in workplace safety.
Why It Matters on Patrol
Slips, trips and falls make up over one-third of UK workplace injuries.
Security officers are usually the first to notice hazards.
By acting, you reduce legal risks, protect reputations, and keep people safe.
You’re not just preventing accidents — you’re saving your site from potential lawsuits, downtime, and insurance claims.
Tip: Always remind yourself: If I see it and ignore it, I become part of the problem.
Real-World Example
Scenario: You’re patrolling an office block at 6am. Overnight, a delivery driver left several cardboard boxes in a corridor. The fire exit route is now blocked.
Your DRA identifies: trip hazard + fire safety issue.
Actions: Move the boxes if safe, notify facilities, and log the hazard.
Outcome: Staff arrive later to a safe building, and your proactive approach prevents a potential accident and a fire safety breach.
Tip: If you can’t fix a hazard yourself (e.g., electrical fault, major spill), always escalate it and ensure temporary safety measures are in place (cones, cordons, warning signs).
Key Considerations During a DRA
When you encounter a situation, ask yourself these questions:
What has changed since my last patrol?
New hazards? Poor lighting? Obstructions?
Example: A stairwell light that worked an hour ago has now gone out — creating a trip risk.
Who could be affected?
Staff, visitors, contractors, vulnerable people?
Example: A wet lobby floor is especially risky for elderly visitors.
What can I do safely right now?
Remove it, isolate it, or report it?
Example: Move a trailing cable or call for maintenance if it’s a fixed hazard.
Do I need support?
Can I manage alone, or do I need cleaning staff, facilities, or another officer?
Tip: Always consider your own safety first — never put yourself at risk to remove a hazard.
Practical Tips for Security Officers
Be proactive, not reactive. Spot hazards before someone else does.
Scan at different levels. Hazards can be on the ground (spills), at waist height (obstructions), or overhead (loose fixtures).
Stay alert in high-risk areas. Entrances, staircases, kitchens, and car parks are hotspots for slips and trips.
Check weather impact. Rainwater at entrances, icy paths, or strong winds creating debris.
Use communication tools. Radio in hazards you can’t deal with straight away.
Example: In winter, you spot icy patches near a site entrance. Place a warning cone, request gritting, and direct people to a safer path until fixed.
Consequences of Ignoring Hazards
If a hazard goes unchecked:
Injuries happen – broken bones, back injuries, or worse.
Legal claims arise – against your employer, and possibly you if negligence is proven.
SIA licence risk – repeated negligence could lead to disciplinary action.
Reputation damage – unsafe sites reflect poorly on the client and the security team.
In simple terms: one ignored hazard could cost someone their health, and you your career.
Scenario Exercise
Scenario: You’re patrolling a warehouse site. You notice:
A forklift has left an oil spill near a walkway.
Staff are due to change shift in 10 minutes.
What’s your DRA response?
Assess: Oil = high slip risk.
Act: Place barriers/cones, warn staff, call for cleaning support.
Report: Log incident in the control room system.
Tip: In every scenario, your priorities are:
– Prevent immediate harm.
– Make safe temporarily if needed.
– Report and record clearly.
Your Patrol, Your Responsibility
Dynamic Risk Assessments are not about paperwork — they’re about using your eyes, your judgement, and your initiative. Every patrol is an opportunity to spot hazards, prevent incidents, and protect the people and property under your care.
Think of it this way: each time you walk your patrol route, you’re not just checking doors and windows — you’re carrying out a mobile safety inspection. A single decision, like cordoning off a wet floor or reporting a broken step, could be the difference between someone walking safely or ending up in hospital.
Why This Matters to You
You’re the first line of defence – If you don’t notice it, others might not until it’s too late.
Your actions have real consequences – Preventing one accident could save your employer thousands in legal claims and protect your site’s reputation.
It builds your credibility – Clients and colleagues trust officers who are proactive and reliable.
Quick Tip to Remember:
See it, Assess it, Act on it, Log it.
This simple cycle will keep you sharp on patrol and ensure hazards don’t slip through the cracks.
