Security guards braving winter
Greg Muir ignored weather recommendations to stay indoors this winter.
Muir, the parking lead through Primary Response Security, said this is the coldest winter since he started working at the Humber North Campus. His job requires him to stay outside for hours at a time, and the temperature has caused him and security staff to take more breaks.
“When it’s cold out, we give the guards warm up breaks, so we have a jeep that goes around that they can sit in and warm up,” said Muir. He said the staff is also provided warm gloves and hats through the company.
Environment Canada reports temperatures as low as -20 C before wind chill this winter.
Muir said he makes sure to dress appropriately for the conditions. He recommended anyone working outdoors to wear lots of layers, and try to cover their body as much as possible.
“Most of the guards will cover their face, so all you can see is their eyes, to keep the cold air away,” he said.
Rob Kilfoyle, Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management, said the school implemented new procedures around how staff should be rotated.
“On days when the wind chill has brought the temperature to the minus thirties, we’ve actually discontinued some positions outside and not had them filled in,” said Kilfoyle.
For example, he said there were fewer outdoor parking attendants. But even in below freezing temperatures, Muir said some staff is still needed outside.
That’s because parking can get a bit hectic during the winter, which is why the staff tries to guide students to where they need to be, he explained.
About the Author
Andreas Pandikiu is a journalism student at the University of Guelph-Humber whose hero is Hunter S. Thompson, and in whose psychedelic path he would like to follow. "Panda" has experience in freelance writing and broadcasting, and aims to write the news in a way perfectly befitting his title; black and white, straight to the point. So tune in to Panda on Radix: word is bond.
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