Safety First

For those of you who live in the Greater Toronto Area, it was reported today that an incident at a rooming house in Toronto resulted in the death of it's operator. Read this City News article.

This horrific story should serve as a reminder to all managers and on-site staff of the importance of personal safety in our workplace.

Property managers deal with elements every day that put them at risk. Steps should be taken to ensure the safety of all staff working in a residential management office.

The first step in securing our workplace is the acceptance of cash in the management office. I am strongly opposed to cash, of any denomination, being kept on-site. Very often corporations accept cash for security deposits for use of party rooms, theatre rooms, elevator moves, rental of the guest suite and party rooms. In today's age of technology, there is no reason for cash of any sort be kept on-site. Credit/Debit machines can be an alternative to cash. They allow the reservation of cash deposits, not unlike checking into a hotel. The obligation is reserved on the credit card/debit card and then released after the event or an inspection. Small items such as filters can be debited directly from purchasers accounts. Prepaid credit cards can be a substitute to petty cash.

While this purchase alternative does incur service fees, they are negligible in the face of staff safety.

If your management office is staffed full-time, then there is probably a full-time live-in superintendent. During the winter months, check in and out with another co-worker. Park your vehicle in a well lit parking space, above ground if possible. Perform your building inspections with your supers or security.

These remarks may seem like common sense, but we all too often are very comfortable in our environments.  After all, it is home to our residents.

As the adage says, "An ounce of prevention...".