Anthony LaFaziaCEO, Atlantic Training · CEO at Atlantic Training | EdTech & Safety Compliance Leader

Guardian of the Night: Security Protocols and Situational Awareness for Lone Workers

13 May 2026 · 2 min

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2:07

In this safety‑training segment, the speaker addresses facility services staff who often work alone or after hours, emphasizing that physical security is a recognized hazard under OSHA’s General Duty Clause. The talk outlines practical security best practices: controlling access by never propping doors and refusing unauthorized entry; maintaining awareness of exits and adhering to check‑in procedures; and responding to potential break‑ins by avoiding investigation, securing oneself, and contacting police. The overall message is that lone workers are not security guards; their role is to stay safe while performing their duties.

Chapters

Okay, now I want to touch on something that the manuals don't always cover in detail— security. As a member of the facility services team, you're often the first one in the building or the last one out. You might be working alone in a large, empty facility. While there isn't one specific lone worker OSHA standard, under the General Duty Clause, we have a responsibility to keep the workplace free from recognized hazards, and that includes your physical security. This makes you a "lone worker," or close to it in a large building or grounds, and that comes with its own set of best practices. First, you control access. When you're working after hours, don't prop doors open to take trash out unless you're standing right there. It takes 2 seconds for someone to slip in behind you. If someone taps on the glass and says, "Hey, I forgot my keys," don't let them in unless you're 100% authorized and trained to do so. Politely but firmly say, "I'm sorry, I can't open the door." You'll have to contact security or come back in the morning. Never know, maybe they're looking for an excuse not to come to work and they'll thank you with a nod and a wave. Either way, not your problem. Second, know your exits and check in. If you're working in the back of a warehouse or a basement, know exactly how to get out if there's a fire or an intruder. Keep your phone or radio on you and follow your facility's check-in procedures. If you see something that looks like a break-in—talking broken glass, a door forced open—don't investigate. Leave the area, lock yourself in a safe room if you can't leave, and call the police. You're there to clean, not to be a security guard or a hero.