Safety and security at Centria
At Centria, safety means occupational health and safety (OHS) and security means security systems (e.g., Access control, video surveillance, etc.), security practices and guarding. Security includes also, for example, personnel security, assets protection, information security, cyber security, and premises surveillance. At Centria, the different aspects of corporate security are applied and, following threat and risk assessments, security arrangements are scaled to the level required. Safety and security are not mutually exclusive, but work overlapping in different areas of security.
Security planning is influenced by the threat and risk assessments mentioned above. These are assessed annually at Centria in conjunction with various authorities and are used to update safety plans and implement the necessary security arrangements. Training and exercises are also part of the overall security system. The most typical security activities that are visible to all of us include camera surveillance and access control, guarding, janitorial services and structural security solutions in the building.
The head of facility & security leads and coordinates the security activities of the University of Applied Sciences and acts as a Point of Contact (POC) person for the authorities in these matters. In addition, Centria has a security team, which is lead by the head of facility & security. This group is responsible for security management and coordination of security work. In addition, each campus is assigned a person in charge of security issues, who together with the head of facility & security and the administration, leads and coordinates the campus security activities, is responsible for the security arrangements in the various campus facilities, the organisation of training and exercises, and the maintenance of security capacity. The person in charge of security issues is assisted by a campus security expert or experts.
Who is responsible for security? It is the responsibility of all of us. If a student notices any shortcomings in security or has suggestions for improvements in security, they can contact the head of facility & security directly or, alternatively, their teacher. Personnel can report findings and make suggestions in accordance with Centria’s agreed procedures.
Let’s work together every day to create a safe learning and working environment; here too, each of us is important. Safety & Security first.
The Head of Facility & Security of Centria UAS
Jari Vähäkainu
tel. 050 4064326
security@centria.fi
Police officer specializing in educational institutes
Juha Puurula
juha.puurula@poliisi.fi
tel. 029 5447718
Contingency plan and rescue plans for each campus (crisis management preparedness)
Centria has a Contingency Plan, including crisis response guidelines. In addition, building-specific rescue plans have been drawn up. The rescue plan might be prepared either by Centria or by the property owner, depending on the location.
Centria places high value on maintaining crisis management preparedness and on preventing any disruptions in normal operations as well as preventing threatening situations and crises. This includes three parts: early intervention, bringing up a concern and assessing the severity of the possible problem, threat or threats. Preventive work includes maintaining mental well-being as well as preventing accidents from happening. The objective of preventive work is to recognize at an early stage those situations or symptoms that might lead to a threatening situation or a crisis. At Centria, we prepare for these potential threats and crises by keeping our documentation and risk management framework up to date.
Maintaining the skills to manage a crisis situation is essential for preventive work. Each personnel member and student in Centria needs to know
- what do in a crisis situation,
- who is responsible for different actions and
- where they can get help.
At Centria campuses there are regular (at least once a year) trainings and evacuation exercises for students and personnel. It is advisable to participate in these trainings and exercises actively, because only through practice we can obtain the preparedness to act in case of dangerous and threatening situations.
In the event of a power cut
Operation in the event of disruption to normal conditions
You may have to leave the campus if, for example, the electricity or heat supply is cut off for an extended period. You will always be ordered to leave the campus. This guideline deals mainly with electricity-related incidents, as electricity is the main factor affecting operations.
What is the cause of a power shortage or outage?
An electricity shortage occurs when the production and import of electricity into Finland is insufficient to cover electricity consumption. In this case, electricity has to be saved, and this can be done through regional power cuts. The duration of these outages is around 1-2 hours, and they are likely to occur between 8-10 in the morning and 17-19 in the afternoon. Power outages are caused in particular by natural conditions such as storms, thunderstorms and snow accumulation on trees. Excavation work, material damage and small animals can also cause power cuts. Sometimes power has to be cut off for planned maintenance, repairs and improvements to the electricity network.
What can a power cut cause?
HVAC systems stop working
- During a power cut, ventilation, heating, water supply, etc. will stop working and lights will go out (emergency lights will stay on for 1 hour, after which they will also go out if the power has not been restored). In the event of a longer outage, the campus may have to be evacuated by management’s decision.
- Windows in classrooms/restaurant may be opened to prevent the air from becoming too heavy. Windows must be closed if an evacuation order is given.
- During power outages, campus lights will go out – only emergency exit lights will remain on for 1 hour, then they too will go out. Ventilation and heating will be switched off and only secured equipment will remain on for a certain period of time.
Laboratories will be shut down in an orderly manner
- We may not receive advance notice of a power failure, so laboratories will be responsible for a managed shutdown of operations if necessary.
There is always access to the outside of the building
- The locking system has a mechanical lock in addition to an electronic lock, which opens regardless of whether there is power or not. The electric locks are battery-operated, so they also operate with an electric alarm for a certain period of time.
Electrically dependent machinery and equipment and telecommunications
- Wired or wireless internet will not work on campus when the power goes out of the communication equipment.
- Machines and equipment that depend on electricity will not work unless they are backed up.
Mobile phone use should be avoided
- During a power outage, you should avoid using your phone to make calls. During a blackout, telephone base stations may also shut down, affecting network functionality.
Water must not be used
- Hot water in this situation can be very hot, up to 85 degrees Celsius. This will cause serious burns.
- Do not use showers or faucets.
- Toilets must not be used.
Centria Talonpojankatu Campus
Separate order to leave the campus
- Exiting the campus may apply to situations other than a power cut. The evacuation will take place always in the same way (this does not apply to threat situations, there are separate instructions).
- The order to leave is given by the janitor or other person authorised to do so. In this case proceed IMMEDIATELY to the AMPHI, the lecture hall and the campus restaurant with coats and your equipment to wait. The emergency lights will work for 1 hour after the power has been cut, which is why you need to immediately move to the previously mentioned locations.
- Exit from the campus area will be staggered so as not to cause traffic disruption by everyone leaving the campus at the same time. Exit will be staggered by the security organisation (janitor and/or security officer)
- After office hours (16:00), exits will be under the direct supervision of the teacher or on your own initiative, as the security organisation is no longer present.
- This instruction applies to the Talonpojankatu Campus, the other campuses and sites will follow their respective emergency plan.
What happens after the outage?
Systems will be brought up and normal operations will resume as soon as possible. The water supply might not be back to normal immediately when the power comes back on. Follow the instructions of the authorities, if they give instructions.
People in charge of security issues and security experts at each Centria campus
Kokkola and Pietarsaari
In charge of security issues
Matti Ojala
matti.ojala@centria.fi
040 149 5497
Safety experts
Talonpojankatu 2
Tuomas Tasala, tuomas.tasala@centria.fi, 044 725 0413
Kai Nyman, kai.nyman@centria.fi,044 725 0304
Pitkänsillankatu 16
Ulla Roiko-Jokela, ulla.roiko-jokela@centria.fi, 044 725 0782
Runeberginkatu 8
Sara Åhman, sara.ahman@centria.fi, 040 729 9973
Teknologiakatu 7
Mervi Liesi, mervi.liesi@centria.fi, 050 469 4782
Ylivieska
In charge of security issues
Pentti Eteläaho
pentti.etelaaho@centria.fi
044 449 2624