Corps Security has just released the findings of a new report, conducted under commission by Perpetuity Research, on why security officers have one of the highest death rates from Covid-19. This report follows the announcement in May by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) that the death rate among security officers Is 45.7 deaths per 100,000 people, one of the highest in the UK.
The full report, which you can download using the link below, can be summarized in to the following 7 key points:
- There appears to be a correlation between low-paid professions and Cov-19 death rates. Security tends to fall in to the low-paid category.
- Security Officers are generally in close proximity with the public which increases the chance of contracting Covid-19. Paradoxically, their exposure risk factor was not as high as healthcare professionals who have a lower death rate than security officers.
- Age is a significant risk factor with Covid-19 and upon an analysis of licenses issued by the Security Industry Authority last year, 21% were received by over 55s while only 19% of the general UK workforce was over 55 during the same time period.
- Gender is also considered a determining risk factor with Covid-19, with males disproportionately affected. 90% of security personnel are male, a much larger percentage than most other professions.
- Ethnicity has also played a factor in Covid-19 death rates with those from African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds being over-represented in total fatalities across the UK. Just under 30% of security personnel come from BAME backgrounds which could indicate an increased vulnerability.
- The nature of security work makes social distancing difficult particularly in conflict scenarios. Officers are also required to touch equipment and technology such as access control, torches, metal detectors etc regularly which may be more difficult to sterilize. Security Officers may also find that that the nature of their work makes regular hand sanitization more difficult.
- Covid-19 outbreaks have been particularly pronounced in large cities such as London and in the Midlands and South East. Security tends to be over-represented in large population centres which may help explain the increased risk factor.
Mike Bullock, CEO of Corps Security says, ” The news, announced in May, from the Office of National Statistics that security officers have one of the highest death dates from Covid-19 – 45.7 deaths per 100,000 people – make for difficult reading for the security profession.
Early in the pandemic, the Government classified licence-holding security professionals as critical workers which meant that many of our colleagues have been on the front line throughout this pandemic. When the rest of the
building occupants have been working from home, security officers have been protecting empty buildings or supporting the skeleton staff remaining. When the pandemic started, we took immediate action to protect our teams and have been amending those provisions as the situation changes.
As part of that we decided to commission research from leading security and risk research company Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International to better understand why security officers are so badly affected by the Covid-19 virus. This understanding will allow us to better support and protect our people.”
To download the full report, please click here: Corps Security Covid Report