143 Security Officers Say They’ve Gone Without PPE During Virus Outbreak
Charlotte NC April 12 2020
In a recent survey of Private Officer International members and social media followers, 143 security employees currently working on the frontline said that they have not been issued PPE during the COVID-19.
Of those who responded, 27 percent were working in retail big box and specialty stores such as pharmacies, 14 percent were assigned to medical facilities including hospitals, Urgent Cares and clinics, 8 percent were working in industrial or commercial environments but still came in contact with the public, 6 percent were assigned to watching businesses that were currently closed because of local stay at home orders and the remainder of respondents stated that they worked at apartments, on patrol, general assignments and in camera surveillance positions.
Three security officers have filed lawsuits against their employers for not providing PPE including a security guard at South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest Illinois.
Marvell Moody filed the suit Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court, charging the hospital and his supervisor with violating Illinois’ Whistleblower Act after he raised safety concerns.
Moody, who is a caregiver for his 65-year-old mother, wore the mask to work March 9 and was chastised by a supervisor, according to a statement from his attorneys at the Blake Horwitz Law Firm. His employers allegedly told him hospital policy prohibited security officers from wearing masks on duty.
Jeffrey Wilson has filed a lawsuit against G4S after his supervisor prohibited him from wearing a surgical mask and gloves while he was on duty at a Holiday Inn Express where they were still open for business and taking nightly reservations.
More than 700 security officers have now contracted the COVID-19 virus including 309 TSA employees.
37 Security officers have died from complications of the virus and six others are currently hospitalized and listed as critical.
Twenty-three security officers stated that they were allowed to purchase and wear their own PPE at work.
OSHA requirements for protecting private security officers HERE
