HIGH RISK/HAZARDOUS
I hope this message finds everyone in this group well. I am humbly proud to be a PEAF-certified member and thankful for the resources and camaraderie it nurtures.
I am conducting a review of Property and Evidence Specialist roles and their associated risk classifications. To ensure accurate benchmarking and support potential upgrades or reclassification, I am seeking input from agencies like yours regarding current practices, historical context, and supporting data.
Specifically, I would appreciate your insights into the following:
Classification Status
Are Property and Evidence Specialists within your agency currently classified as high-risk and/or hazardous positions?
If so, does this classification apply to all staff in the unit or only specific roles?
Historical Context
Have these positions always been categorized as high-risk/hazardous, or was this designation implemented at a specific point in time?
If implemented later, what factors or incidents prompted the change?
Supporting Data & Justification
Do you have any data, guidelines, or parameters that were used to justify this classification? Examples might include:
Documented exposure risks (biohazards, narcotics, firearms, chemicals, etc.)
Safety standards or compliance requirements (OSHA, NFPA, NIJ/IAPE best practices)
Incident or near-miss reports
Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) or ergonomic assessments
Comparative classification data from peer agencies
Are there specific thresholds or metrics (e.g., frequency of hazardous exposure, PPE requirements, ventilation standards) that support the designation?
Recommendations
Based on your experience, what best practices or parameters would you recommend to help justify an upgrade or reclassification of these roles?
Have you implemented role upgrades, differential pay, or additional safety measures because of this classification? If so, what changes were most effective?
Your input will help establish a stronger foundation for safety and staffing decisions across agencies. If you have any documentation, policies, or reports that you can share, they would be extremely valuable.
Please feel free to respond via email @wendell.smith@talgov.com, as well.