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, and natural disasters
• Patrol assigned areas to maintain public safety
• Enforce laws and regulations
• 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
• 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
• Noise
• Slips, trips and falls
• Fatigue from shift work
• Psychological stress or trauma

• 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.

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

Always:

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

General information is available in OSH Answers or through the CCOHS person-to-person Inquiries Service.