Research Shows Reasons Behind Security Staff’s Susceptibility to COVID-19

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• Research Shows Reasons Behind Security Staff’s Susceptibility to COVID-19

29 June 2020

Age, working location, ethnicity, and working in close proximity to others have all been identified as factors that may contribute to security officers having one of the highest COVID-19 death rates.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) data published in May 2020 stated that men working as security guards had one of the highest COVID death rates, with 45.7 deaths per 100,000 (63 deaths). 

This new report, commissioned by Corps Security from Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International, revealed seven key issues. The intention of the research is to provide a better understanding of why security officers are so badly affected by the coronavirus. 

“This report gives us valuable insight and we’re delighted to share it with the wider security sector so we can work together and do all we can as an industry to ensure no more security officers die as a result of this terrible virus.”

–Mike Bullock

CEO,  Corps Security

Key Findings from the Report 

1. Low-paid occupations were found to have the highest rates of death involving COVID-19 and front-line security work is typically low-paid
2. The role of security officers generally involves close proximity and frequent interactions with others, and this was found to be a significant risk factor for contracting COVID-19, albeit it is not known whether security officers generally worked in a similar way in the crisis. However, their risk factor relating to exposure was not rated as high as healthcare personnel. The level of virus found in healthcare settings is much greater than among the general public yet death rates for healthcare staff are lower than for security officers
3. Older people appear to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 compared to their younger counterparts and experience less favourable outcomes. Analysis of licences issued by the Security Industry Association (SIA) in 2019 suggests that 21 per cent were obtained by those over 55 years of age, compared to the UK average for all occupations of 19 per cent of the workforce in that age group. Yet 42 per cent of those with a manned guarding licence, were issued to those over 55 years of age
4. More men than women have been affected by COVID-19 and because approximately 90 per cent of security personnel are men, the risk factor for the sector overall is higher than occupations with a lower proportion of males
5. Not all groups in the UK have been affected by COVID-19 equally and ethnicity appears to be a significant risk factor. Nearly a third of security officers are from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and vulnerability is linked to both genetic, social and economic factors. Within this group, Black Africans, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis appear to be particularly vulnerable and they are overrepresented among security officers
6. The very nature of the role of security officers influences their risk to COVID-19. Being a frontline key worker may mean encountering conflict when trying to enforce COVID-19 guidelines and this may make social distancing more difficult. They also have to touch equipment and technology others have handled on a regular basis and may find it difficult to ensure they carry out frequent handwashing
7. Many security roles are located in major cities and some of these, particularly in London, the Midlands and south-east have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19, affecting the vulnerability of those working there

“The ONS data made for difficult reading for the security profession,” said Mike Bullock, CEO of Corps Security.

“We wanted to know why security officers were so affected by the virus so we could better support and protect our people. This report gives us valuable insight and we’re delighted to share it with the wider security sector so we can work together and do all we can as an industry to ensure no more security officers die as a result of this terrible virus.”

Picture: A photograph of a person wearing a security guard's uniform. Image credit: Small Business Trends

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 29 June 2020

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