Final answer:
Security officers are responsible for reporting safety hazards as part of their job duties to maintain a safe workplace, under OSHA guidelines. They help to identify and correct safety and health problems and play a crucial role in preventing injuries or illnesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
A security officer's job does indeed include reporting safety hazards. Under the guidelines established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), all employers and by extension, their employees, which would include security officers, are responsible for maintaining a safe workplace. This includes identifying and correcting safety and health problems. Security officers, who are in a unique position to observe and report on workplace safety, play a critical role in this process.
For example, if a security officer notices a potential hazard such as a chemical spill, it is part of their responsibility to report this to their superiors or the appropriate personnel to prevent injuries or illnesses. In more severe instances, such as those involving imminent danger, they may need to act immediately to safeguard themselves and others in the vicinity until further help arrives.
The importance of security officers in maintaining workplace safety can also be seen in the context of history and statistics. Safety measures, like wearing helmets and other protective equipment, have become more prevalent due to a greater emphasis on reducing workplace injuries, which security officers help to enforce.