WBCHSE HS Vocational Security cheat sheet

Private security is funded by private clients (individuals, firms, housing societies, malls, hospitals); public police are state-funded and hold statutory police powers that guards do not have.

The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (PSARA) requires a private security agency to hold a licence from the state controlling authority before supplying guards; operating without a licence is an offence.

PSARA applies to agencies, not to in-house security staff employed directly by a company, and it excludes certain establishments as notified by the state government.

Under PSARA the minimum age for a security guard is 18 years and for a supervisor 25 years; guards must be trained in a prescribed syllabus before deployment.

Core guard duties are preventive: deterrence by visible presence, observation and reporting, access control, and calling the police or fire service - not investigation or arrest.

A guard's authority is that of an ordinary citizen: private defence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (earlier IPC) and citizen's arrest of a person committing a non-bailable offence, handed over promptly to police.

The three-part duty chain is observe, record, report; a guard who acts beyond this (interrogating, searching without consent, detaining on suspicion) creates legal liability for himself and the agency.

Chain of command runs guard to supervisor/head guard to security officer to client management; escalation is by the post orders and emergency contact list, not by personal judgement alone.

Shift handover (briefing/debriefing) must cover keys, registers, equipment, pending incidents and special instructions; both outgoing and incoming guards sign the handover register.

Post orders define the specific duties of one post: hours, patrol route, checkpoints, reporting channel, prohibited actions and emergency numbers; they override general habit.

Patrolling should be by a varied route and timing so that observation points and gaps are not predictable; each checkpoint is physically verified and time-logged.

A guard records facts (time, place, persons, words used, action taken) and not opinions or conclusions; 'appeared nervous' is opinion, 'hands shaking, avoided eye contact' is fact.

Found property, lost items and unattended baggage are logged, sealed if possible, and handed to the shift supervisor against signature; unattended baggage is treated as suspicious and the area cordoned, not opened.

Key control requires a key register with serial, holder, purpose, issue and return time; master keys are never left at an unmanned post.

Relief and absentee management: a post is never left unmanned without the supervisor's written permission; the relieving guard signs in before the outgoing guard signs out.

Use of force is a last resort, must be proportionate and defensive, and every application of force is reported in writing the same shift.

Post selection applies the principles of deterrence and defence in depth: the post must see the approach, be seen by the public, and have a safe retreat and alarm access.

Fixed posts suit gates, reception, strong rooms and cash counters; mobile posts suit large perimeters, parking and night rounds; the two are combined for coverage.

A guard post needs a written post order, visitor and material registers, torch, whistle, communication device, first-aid access, and a visitor waiting area outside the controlled zone.

Siting rules: no post inside a blind corner, no post that blocks a fire exit or escape route, and no lone post at a remote point without radio or phone contact.

Guard deployment is calculated from post count x shifts x relief factor; a 24-hour single post needs at least three guards plus relief for weekly offs and leave.

Night posting requires adequate lighting on the post itself (so the guard is seen) while approach areas may be lit to deny concealment; a guard should never be silhouetted from behind.

The post is a controlled point: the guard stands at the side or offset of the entry, not in the direct path of a vehicle, and uses barriers, boom barriers or bollards for stand-off.

Relieving and rotation prevent fatigue and collusion; the same guard should not hold the same sensitive post indefinitely without rotation or supervision checks.

Access control principle: identify, verify, authorise, record, and issue a pass; entry is granted only when all four steps are complete.

Three authentication factors are something you know (PIN), something you have (card, token) and something you are (biometric); two-factor access combines two different types.

Visitor management steps: stop, greet, ask purpose, verify identity document, check with the host, issue a time-limited badge, record entry time, and record exit time.

A visitor badge must be visibly different from staff and contractor badges and must be surrendered on exit; an unreturned pass is logged and reported.

Material movement needs a gate pass or delivery challan matched against the purchase order; outward goods require an authorised dispatch note signed by the approving officer.

Contractors and service engineers are escorted in restricted areas unless a valid work permit and photo pass are issued; tools and materials in and out are counted.

Tailgating and piggybacking are prevented by one-person-per-swipe rules, turnstiles, mantraps or airlocks, and by the guard observing the reader display.

Registers must be completed in ink at the time of the event, with no blank rows or overwriting; corrections are struck through, initialled and dated.

Physical security layers are deterrence, delay, detection, assessment and response; barriers buy time, they do not by themselves stop an intruder.

The security-in-depth model uses concentric rings: perimeter, building envelope, internal zones, and the asset itself; each ring is independently controlled.

Doors, locks and hardware: a lock's rating must match the door and frame; a strong lock in a weak frame fails at the frame, not the lock.

Safe and strong-room control uses dual custody (two persons, two combinations or keys) so no single person can open the asset store alone.

Sensitive areas follow need-to-know and least-privilege: keys, codes and combinations are issued to the minimum number of people and changed on staff exit.

CCTV, lighting and guards are complementary; lighting supports the camera and the guard, and a camera that is not monitored or recorded is only a deterrent.

Searching of persons or bags requires consent or a written policy condition of entry; refusal is handled by denying entry, not by force.

Asset classification (public, internal, confidential, restricted) determines the storage, handling and destruction rules applied to the item.

Perimeter types: physical (wall, fence, gate, bollard, trench), electronic (PIR, beam, vibration, fence-mounted fibre, magnetic contact) and procedural (patrol, challenge).

A PIR sensor detects change in infrared heat in its field of view; it is prone to false alarms from sunlight, hot air, insects and small animals.

Active infrared beam detectors work in pairs across a line and alarm on interruption; dual-beam or quad-beam heads reduce false alarms from birds and debris.

CCTV camera types: dome (discreet, indoor), bullet (long range, visible deterrent), PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom, operator controlled), and ANPR for number plates.

Camera coverage rules: avoid pointing into direct light or sun, cover the face-height zone at the entry, and ensure identification distance rather than only detection distance.

Recording retention is set by policy and law; footage must be exported with a hash or sealed copy, logged in a CCTV register, and handed only to authorised persons or police against receipt.

Alarm system components: sensor, control panel, keypad, sounder and communication path; a zone is a defined detection area shown on the panel.

Alarm response rule: verify before response (second sensor, CCTV, or call-back), then follow the keyholder list; every activation is logged with time, zone and cause if known.

Fire triangle: fuel, oxygen and heat; removing any one side extinguishes the fire. The fire tetrahedron adds the uninhibited chemical chain reaction.

Fire classes: A solid combustibles (water, foam), B flammable liquids (foam, CO2, dry powder), C gases (isolate supply, dry powder), D metals (special dry powder), and electrical fires (CO2 or dry powder, never water).

PASS technique for a extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the flame, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

Stages of fire: incipient, growth, fully developed (flashover), decay; a guard attacks only the incipient stage with a clear escape route behind him.

Means of escape must be unobstructed, self-closing fire doors must not be wedged open, and exit signs must be illuminated and visible from any point.

Smoke is the main killer; evacuation requires staying low, closing doors behind, and never using lifts during a fire.

Fire detection devices: smoke detector (ionisation or optical), heat detector (fixed temperature or rate of rise), and manual call point (break-glass).

The RACE sequence is Rescue, Alarm, Contain (close doors, isolate power/gas), Evacuate/Extinguish; assembly point roll-call is reported to the fire officer.

Primary survey DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation; only after the scene is safe does the guard approach the casualty.

Adult CPR: compressions at 100-120 per minute, depth 5-6 cm, ratio 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths; use an AED as soon as it arrives and follow its prompts.

Recovery position is used for an unconscious but breathing casualty to keep the airway open; suspected spinal injury means minimal movement unless the airway is at risk.

Severe bleeding is controlled by direct pressure, then a dressing, then elevation; a tourniquet is a last resort for life-threatening limb bleeding and the time is recorded.

Burns are cooled with running water for at least 20 minutes; never apply ice, toothpaste or oil, and do not burst blisters.

Choking adult: encourage coughing, then up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts, alternating and calling for help.

Fracture immobilisation: support the limb in the position found, immobilise the joints above and below, and check circulation beyond the injury.

Evacuation roles are warden (sweeps the area), deputy, and roll-call recorder at the assembly point; nobody re-enters until the fire officer or incident controller declares all-clear.

Hierarchy of controls, most to least effective: eliminate, substitute, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE last.

PPE by hazard: helmet (falling objects), safety goggles or face shield (impact, chemical splash), ear plugs or muffs (noise), respirator (dust, fumes), gloves and safety shoes (cut, crush, slip).

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) isolates energy before maintenance: isolate, lock, tag, release stored energy, verify zero energy; only the person who applied the lock removes it.

Permit-to-work systems cover hot work, confined space entry, height work and excavation; no permit means no work, and the permit states precautions and validity.

Confined space hazards are oxygen deficiency or enrichment, toxic gas and flammable gas; entry requires testing, ventilation, a standby person and rescue arrangements.

Safety colour code: red for fire and prohibition, yellow for caution, blue for mandatory action, green for safe condition and first aid.

Housekeeping and 5S prevent slips, trips and falls; spills are barricaded and cleaned at once, and walkways are kept clear of material.

An accident is an unplanned event causing injury or damage; a near miss is an unplanned event with no injury or damage, and near misses are reported because they predict accidents.

Hazard is a potential source of harm; risk is the combination of the likelihood of harm and its severity; risk assessment = likelihood x severity, ranked high, medium or low.

Hazard types: physical (noise, heat, vibration, electricity), chemical (solvents, dust), biological (blood, bacteria), ergonomic (manual handling, posture) and psychosocial (stress, shift fatigue).

The five-step risk assessment: identify hazards, decide who may be harmed and how, evaluate and control the risk, record findings, and review and update.

Occupational health hazards in security work include long standing, night-shift sleep disruption, heat and cold exposure, noise at gates, and lone working.

Noise action levels are 80 dB(A) for lower exposure action (hearing protection available, information) and 85 dB(A) for upper exposure action (hearing protection mandatory, hearing checks).

Manual handling rule: assess the load, keep it close, bend the knees, keep the back straight, do not twist while lifting, and use team lifting or a trolley for heavy loads.

Electric shock response: isolate the supply before touching the casualty, call for help, then treat for burns and start CPR if breathing has stopped.

Hazard reporting is a duty of every worker: report the hazard in writing to the supervisor, record it in the hazard register, and follow up until it is closed.

PSARA 2005: agency licence, eligibility and training of guards, and the state controlling authority's power to cancel a licence; the Act does not confer police powers on guards.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaced the Indian Penal Code; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita replaced the CrPC, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam replaced the Evidence Act.

Private defence (Sections 34-44 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) permits only necessary and proportionate force to protect person or property; excessive force is an offence.

Citizen's arrest is limited to a person committing a non-bailable and cognizable offence in the guard's presence; the person is handed to police without delay and without unnecessary restraint.

A guard has no power to search a person or seize property without consent or lawful authority; a voluntary search requires a witness and a written record.

Confidentiality: client data, CCTV footage and personal information are disclosed only to authorised persons or police against written receipt, consistent with the DPDP Act, 2023.

Ethical conduct: honesty, impartiality, no bribery or gratification, no discrimination, no sleeping or drinking on duty, and no disclosure of post weaknesses to outsiders.

A guard is a witness, not an investigator: preserve the scene, do not touch exhibits, record facts, note witnesses and hand over to police with a written report.

Communication process: sender, message, medium, receiver, feedback, and noise; feedback is the proof that the message was received as intended.

7 Cs of communication: clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete and courteous.

Active listening: pay attention, do not interrupt, paraphrase what was heard, ask clarifying questions, and confirm the action agreed.

Radio or walkie-talkie discipline: identify yourself, keep it brief, use plain standard words, spell names with the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie), and repeat critical numbers.

Phonetic alphabet example: A-Alpha, B-Bravo, C-Charlie, D-Delta, E-Echo, F-Foxtrot, G-Golf, H-Hotel, I-India, J-Juliett, K-Kilo, L-Lima, M-Mike, N-November, O-Oscar, P-Papa, Q-Quebec, R-Romeo, S-Sierra, T-Tango, U-Uniform, V-Victor, W-Whiskey, X-X-ray, Y-Yankee, Z-Zulu.

Non-verbal communication: eye contact, posture, distance and tone carry meaning; an aggressive posture escalates a conflict even when the words are polite.

Barriers to communication include noise, jargon, language difference, prejudice, emotion and fatigue; the guard removes the barrier by simplifying and confirming.

Emergency call content: what happened, where exactly, how many injured, hazards present, your name and contact, and do not hang up until told.

An incident report answers the 5W1H: what happened, who was involved, when, where, why (if known) and how it was handled.

Report structure: date/time of incident, location, persons involved with designations, sequence of facts in chronological order, action taken, witnesses, and signature with time of writing.

Write facts in the past tense, in the third person or first person consistently, in ink, without erasures; errors are struck through with a single line and initialled.

Never write opinions, guesses, or hearsay as fact; attribute hearsay clearly, e.g., 'the driver stated that...'.

The duty diary or occurrence book is a bound, page-numbered register kept at the post; each entry is timed and signed, and pages are never torn out.

Report timelines: an oral report to the supervisor is immediate for serious incidents; the written report follows the same shift, and police are informed for cognizable offences.

Customer etiquette at the gate: greet, identify yourself, state the purpose, keep a calm tone, avoid argument, and escalate to the supervisor instead of escalating the conflict.

Telephone etiquette: answer within three rings, greet with post and name, speak clearly, note the message and repeat it back, and end politely.

Drills build muscle memory so that response is automatic under stress; fire drill, evacuation drill, bomb-threat drill and intruder-alert drill are the standard set.

A drill is planned, timed, recorded and debriefed; the debrief lists what worked, what failed and the corrective action with a responsible person.

Physical fitness components: cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition; a guard needs endurance and flexibility most.

Warm-up before and cool-down after physical training reduce injury; progressive overload means increasing load gradually, not suddenly.

Self-defence is lawful only as private defence: the force used must be necessary and proportionate to the threat, and the guard disengages when the threat ends.

Self-defence principles: awareness and avoidance first, maintain distance, keep hands up in a guard position, protect the head, use the body's base for balance, and shout for help.

Target areas in unarmed defence are the eyes, nose, throat, groin, knees and shin; the aim is to create a gap to escape and call for help, not to punish.

After any physical intervention, the guard reports the incident, seeks first aid, preserves evidence, and records the force used and why it was necessary.

A CV or resume for a security job lists personal details, education, PSARA training certificate, experience with dates, skills and references, in one or two pages.

A cover letter is tailored to the post: it states the post applied for, the relevant training and experience, and the availability, in three or four short paragraphs.

Interview preparation: research the employer, prepare a self-introduction, keep documents ready (ID, certificates, police verification), and answer with examples rather than claims.

Entrepreneurship in security: a private security agency needs a PSARA licence, trained guards, a client contract, insurance, and a record system for deployment and billing.

A business plan covers the service offered, target clients, licence and legal requirements, staffing, pricing, costs, break-even and marketing.

Workplace documents include the appointment letter, duty roster, attendance register, wage sheet, gate pass, incident report and handover register.

Statutory employment documents for guards include the appointment letter, ESI/EPF registration where applicable, police verification of character and antecedents, and training certificate.

Digital literacy for a guard: using attendance apps, sending a photo report, and keeping a phone charged with emergency numbers saved.

A project report has a title page, objectives, methodology, observations, findings, conclusion and references; observations must be recorded on site, not reconstructed later.

Industrial exposure means supervised visits or placement at a site: record the site layout, post positions, visitor process, fire equipment, and CCTV coverage.

Viva questions typically test the fire triangle, PASS, DRABC, access control steps, PSARA basics and the difference between a guard's powers and police powers.

Answer the viva in short, structured sentences: state the definition, give one example, and stop; if unsure, say so honestly rather than guessing.

In a practical demonstration, the assessor marks the sequence: check the scene, identify yourself, follow procedure, communicate clearly, and record the action.

Maintain a fieldwork diary signed by the site supervisor; it is the primary evidence of industrial exposure and supports the report.

Safety during project work: follow the site's PPE and permit rules, never enter restricted areas unescorted, and do not photograph sensitive areas without permission.

The evaluation rubric usually weights procedure and safety over speed; a slow, correct demonstration scores higher than a fast, unsafe one.