GUIDE FOR HANDLING
  AND TRANSPORTING CASH
1
INTRODUCTION
Who should use this Guide?
This Guide provides practical guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking
about managing health and safety risks associated with handling and transporting cash.
This includes managing the risk of robbery and armed hold-ups.
It is directed at businesses handling or transporting cash ‘in-house’, for example where
a worker or business owner transports cash from the workplace to a bank, rather than
engaging a security provider for these services. This can include:

retailers

chemists

clubs

service stations

entertainment venues

restaurants, and

hotels.
The Guide is also useful for workers and helps to ensure the health and safety of other
people who may be affected by these activities, including members of the public.
Advice for businesses that use a security provider to transport cash is in the General
guide for managing cash-in-transit security risks. The General Guide is directed at
businesses and workers involved in armoured or non-armoured vehicle operations.
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GUIDE FOR HANDLING

AND TRANSPORTING CASH
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Who has duties under the law?
People who carry out activities involving handling or transporting cash as part of their business or
undertaking have duties under the work health and safety (WHS) laws.
Table 1 Duties in relation to handling and transporting cash
Who
Duties
Provisions
A person who
Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, workers,
WHS Act
conducts a
including volunteers, and other people are not
business or
exposed to health and safety risks arising from the
s 19
undertaking
business or undertaking. This duty requires the person
to manage health and safety risks by eliminating them
so far as is reasonably practicable, and if this is not
reasonably practicable, by minimising those risks so
far as is reasonably practicable.
There are more specific requirements to manage risks
WHS Regulations
in the WHS Regulations including those associated
with remote and isolated work and manual tasks.
Chapters 3 and 4
Designers,
Must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable,
WHS Act
manufactures,
the plant, substance or structure they design,
importers,
manufacture, import, supply or install is without risks
s 22-26
suppliers
to health and safety.
or installers
of plant,
substances or
structures
Officers such
Must exercise due diligence to ensure the business
WHS Act
as company
or undertaking complies with the WHS Act and
directors
Regulations. This includes taking reasonable steps
s 27
to ensure the business or undertaking has and uses
appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or
minimise risks to health and safety.
Workers
Must take reasonable care for their own health
WHS Act
and safety and not adversely affect the health and
safety of other people. Workers must comply with
s 28
reasonable instruction and co-operate with any
reasonable policy or procedure relating to health and
safety at the workplace.
What is involved in managing risks?
Health and safety hazards associated with handling and transporting cash can arise from manual
tasks, worker fatigue, remote or isolated work and violence from robberies and armed hold-ups.
Small and medium sized businesses are often the target of robberies because they usually have
less security in place compared to banks. Service stations, chemists and liquor stores are often
targeted but people walking retail takings to the bank and even schools are also at risk.
Workers can be killed or suffer serious injuries from weapons or physical assault. They may also
suffer stress-related injuries.
The risk of cash-related incidents increases:

when there are inadequate barriers or security to prevent unlawful access to cash

when a person is working alone e.g. in a service station or walking to the bank

when the worker handling cash is not visible to people outside the workplace e.g. windows are
blocked with posters or shelves
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when the worker handling cash cannot see other people in the workplace

when a person can enter the workplace undetected

during opening and closing times, and

when it is dark.
You should manage the risks associated with handling and transporting cash by following
a systematic process of:

identifying hazards – find out what could cause harm when handling or transporting
cash

assessing risks if necessary – understand the nature of the harm each hazard could
cause, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening

controlling risks – implement the most effective control measures that are reasonably
practicable in the circumstances, and

reviewing control measures to ensure they are working as planned.
Eliminating the risk—that is, eliminating cash handling at the workplace or workers
transporting cash—must be your first consideration. This could be achieved by only
accepting electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) or credit cards or by
engaging a professional security service to transport cash.
If eliminating the risk is not reasonably practicable you should consider using other
control measures to minimise the risk, so far as is reasonably practicable.
A checklist to help identify hazards is at Appendix A.
Further guidance on the risk management process is in the Code of Practice: How to
manage work health and safety risks.
What training should be provided to workers?
Workers should be trained in the procedures to manage cash established specifically for
your workplace.
Workers should be aware of the risks associated with handling and transporting cash and
should be trained in:

the work health and safety duties of everyone involved in cash handling and
transporting activities

the nature and extent of hazards and risks identified in the work carried out, and

safe work procedures and control measures implemented to minimise risks including:

operating security devices and alarms

communication systems

staffing levels

cash limits

planning transport routes and times to minimise predictability

confidentiality about procedures and security devices

situational awareness and how to identify suspicious behaviour

emergency plans and procedures including how to respond during and after a
robbery or violent incident

support after an incident

hazard and incident reporting systems

worker fatigue and managing stress, and

how to access health and safety information.
Work health and safety training, procedures and culture should focus on protecting
people rather than protecting cash.
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Consultation
Consultation involves sharing information, giving workers a reasonable opportunity to
express views and taking those views into account before making decisions about health
and safety matters.
Consultation with workers and their health and safety representatives is required at each
step of the risk management process. By drawing on the experience, knowledge and
ideas of your workers you are more likely to identify all hazards and choose effective
control measures.
You should encourage your workers to report hazards and health and safety problems
immediately so the risks can be managed before an incident occurs.
CONSULTING, CO-OPERATING AND CO-ORDINATING ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER DUTY
HOLDERS
There may be more than one business or undertaking involved in cash handling or
transportation activities, for example a retailer engaging a security transport company to
transport cash from the business to the bank. In these situations the duty holders should
share information about the hazards and risks and work together in a co-operative and
co-ordinated way to eliminate or minimise the risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Further guidance on consultation is in the Code of Practice: Work health and safety
consultation, co-operation and co-ordination.
HANDLING CASH
You should consider whether it is possible to eliminate the risks associated with handling
cash at your workplace, for example by only accepting EFTPOS or credit cards. If
this is not reasonably practicable the risks must be minimised, so far as is reasonably
practicable.
Security focussed cash handling procedures aim to make cash less visible and less
accessible during handling and storage.
Some factors which can increase the risk of robbery and armed hold-ups include:

large amounts of cash stored in the cash registers

a safe which is visible to the public, and

the business being located in an area with a high crime rate.
Table 2 Control measures to minimise cash handling risks
Hazard
Control measures to minimise risks
Use of cash

Keep cash levels low.

Use and encourage cashless purchasing e.g. credit
cards and EFTPOS.

Pay workers by cheque or direct credit.
Cash register or drawer

Position the cash register away from the front door.

Open the cash drawer only when in use e.g. when a
customer is paying for merchandise.

Close the cash drawer before merchandise is
packaged.

Lock the cash drawer and remove the key when not
in use.

Use an audible device which indicates the opening of
the drawer.

Clear excess cash from the register often and
randomly and not in front of customers.
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Hazard
Control measures to minimise risks

Encourage workers to deposit larger notes
immediately into drop safes or time-release safes but
out of the view of customers.

Leave the register empty and open overnight.
Safe

If a safe is used put excess cash in the safe regularly.

Lock the safe at all times when in use.

Change the combination to the safe often and after
staff changes.

Use a time delay safe.
Moving and counting

Use a strong cash box and if possible have two
cash
workers present when manually collecting cash from
registers—one can act as a lookout.

Move cash from a register during low risk times.

Count cash in a secure room—try to locate the main
cash handling area as far as possible from public
areas.
Business layout

Employ the services of a reputable security firm to
provide a set of specific security recommendations
for your premises.

Position the point of sale area away from entrances
and exits.

Secure entrances and windows with good quality
locks, solid doors and window bars.

Assess the area around the premises to identify areas
where an offender could hide e.g. bins or shrubs.

Use bright exterior lighting so approaches to your
business are well lit.

Use bright interior lighting in combination with an
open glass front so there is a clear view into the
premises from outside.

Designate safe areas and escape routes for you and
your workers.
Security devices

Install a silent alarm system and personal duress
alarms.

Use electronic sensors that emit a sound whenever a
customer enters or leaves the premises to be aware
of when customers are in the premises.

Use physical barriers at point of sale areas e.g.
security glazing, rising screens or wide, high counters.

Install visible closed circuit television to monitor entry
and movement within the premises.

Prominently advertise the use of security cameras
with signs like ‘Premises under constant video
surveillance’.

Use mirrors so workers can monitor obscured floor
space.

Use signs to advertise all security measures in use like
‘No Cash Kept On Premises’ and ‘Time Delay Safe In
Use’.
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Hazard
Control measures to minimise risks
Opening and closing

Ensure more than one worker opens and closes the
for business
business.

Train workers in opening and closing procedures and
using devices like personal alarms.

Before entering the workplace look for anyone
loitering around and check for any signs of
attempted entry.

At the end of the working day before cashing up
and securing the premises, check everywhere for
potential offenders including toilets, store rooms,
domestic areas and other concealed areas where a
person could hide.

Before leaving the workplace take note of anyone
loitering. If suspicions are aroused use panic
assistance systems or inform the police.
Working during hours

Petrol stations should consider using a ‘pay at the
of darkness or working
pump’ system.
alone

Serve customers through bullet proof windows.

Engage a security service to do random patrols and
to escort workers to vehicles.

Ensure more than one worker is at the workplace.

Provide workers with access to a safe retreat or
secure location in the event of an incident.

Establish procedures like workers leaving the
workplace in groups and moving vehicles close to the
workplace.

Use devices like personal duress alarms.
TRANSPORTING CASH
Using a professional security service
The most effective way to eliminate or minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable
to you and your workers is to engage a professional security company to transport cash.
You should consider this option first. Consider using a security transport company when:

cash needs to be transported often

large amounts of cash are involved

cash is transported long distances, and

the area where the cash is transported has a high crime rate.
If you use a security transport company you should work closely with the security
company to assess risks and implement suitable control measures.
Consider varying cash collection times and introducing a system to confirm the identity
of the security quard. Their identification card should be presented and checked.
Advise workers the guards should be in the uniform of the security company. If they are
suspicious of the guard they should not directly confront the guard but alert the police
and your security company as soon as possible.
Further information on managing risks from transporting cash is in the General guide
for managing cash-in-transit security risks. The General Guide is directed at the cash-in-
transit industry and the people who use a security provider to transport cash.
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Transporting cash in-house
Moving cash from a workplace to a bank exposes workers to the risk of robbery.
Where it is not reasonably practicable to use a security service to transport cash, use a
bank close to the business to deposit takings. Change the procedures for transferring
cash often including routes, times, schedules, the amounts transferred and the vehicle
used for the transfer. Avoid banking alone and rotate the task so it is not always the
same person visiting the bank.
Cash should not be taken home. Many small business people have been robbed after
driving home at night with the day’s takings in a car with the company name printed on
the side.
Table 3 Control measures to minimise transporting cash risks
Hazard
Control measures to minimise risks
Walking routes

Vary the route and time of day when the person goes
to the bank so movements cannot be predicted.

Avoid using quiet streets and alleyways.

Only make the journey when other people will be
around.

Use a busy route and walk in the centre of the
pavement facing oncoming traffic.

Establish vulnerable spots en route and maintain extra
vigilance in those areas.

Check the area outside the premises and any transport
before leaving the premises or bank. Be aware of
people around the workplace and suspicious vehicles.
Mode of transport

Where possible travel by vehicle rather than on foot or
public transport.

Drive passenger vehicles with no distinguishing
features. Try not to use the same car each time.
Appearance

Wear plain clothing rather than a uniform to be less
conspicuous.

Do not take large amounts of cash to the bank in the
same bag at the same time every day.

Use secure security bags – unmarked bags or
containers to carry cash – and do not draw attention to
them.

Use cash-carrying waistcoats so it does not look like
cash is being carried.
Communication and

Ensure workers are trained and understand what
training
precautions they should take when they are
transporting cash.

Tell the bank the expected arrival time and another
person the expected return time.
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ARMED HOLD-UPS
An armed hold-up can have a significant impact on the health and safety of your workers
and other people at the workplace. The emergency plan for your workplace should
include procedures for:

what to do during a robbery or armed hold-up, and

what to do after a robbery or armed hold-up.
Further guidance on emergency plans is in the Emergency plans fact sheet and the Code
of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities.
Minimising the risk of a hold-up
Most people who carry out armed hold-ups look for premises that are isolated, easy to
enter and leave and where the worker will offer little resistance, for example lone or less
experienced workers. Workplaces particularly at risk are solitary liquor stores or service
stations located on a main road, open late at night and staffed by a single worker.
Be aware of people coming into the shop, browsing at length and then leaving or
purchasing a cheap and obvious item from the counter. Also be aware of cars driving
past slowly more than once.
Suspicious activities and people should be reported to police immediately.
Procedures during an armed hold-up
An armed hold-up is a very stressful situation that can produce a range of responses
from workers. Training workers in what to expect from and how to act during an armed
hold-up can significantly reduce the effects of anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
The procedures outlined in Table 4 should be included in the emergency plan for the
workplace. Workers should be trained to respond in this way and practice the response
regularly so they can act effectively and safely. The most important outcome from an
armed hold-up is for workers and others to stay alive and safe.
Table 4 Armed hold-up procedures for workers
Action
Procedure
Stand still
Keep your hands where they can be seen and do not make
any sudden or quick moves. Stand slightly side on to the
offender – a submissive position. Only activate alarms if it is
safe to do so.
Obey the offender’s
Do exactly what you are told. Speak only when spoken to
instructions
and do not provoke the offender. Explain in advance any
movements you are going to make e.g. ‘I am going to open
the cash register now’.
Remain calm and
Try to stay calm. Be submissive and avoid drawing attention
quiet
to yourself. Avoid staring or making eye contact.
Observe, if you can,
Make a mental note of the offender’s appearance, age and
safely
type of weapon. Try to remember identifying characteristics.
Stay out of the
Keep your distance from the offender. When asked to hand
danger area
over cash place it on the counter and take a step back.
Allow the offender to leave. The sooner they leave the safer
you will be.
Stay where you are
If safe to do so, after the offender leaves activate the alarm
system. Note which way the offender left and write down
Do not chase
the details of the getaway car.
Call emergency
When it is safe call emergency services on 000.
services
Do not disturb evidence (see section 39 of the WHS Act).
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Action
Procedure
Notify the regulator
A person conducting a business or undertaking must report
a death, serious injury or illness as soon as they are aware of
it to the regulator (see section 48 of the WHS Act and the
Incident Notification Fact Sheet).
Post hold-up procedures
An armed hold up or other violent incident is dangerous and frightening for workers.
Post hold-up procedures should be set out in your emergency plan and include:

calling emergency services – as soon as it is safe to do so ring the police and if
necessary an ambulance using the emergency number 000

providing first aid – injured or traumatised workers and members of the public
should be given first aid

assisting the police – workers should be given guidance on what they can expect
from contact with police after the incident e.g. leaving evidence undisturbed and
reporting what and who they saw

contacting victims’ families and other workers

providing and encouraging counselling for workers involved and workers affected by
the incident e.g. colleagues of the victims

providing debriefings to workers to share information about the incident, and

reviewing risk assessments and control measures.
It may also be necessary to notify the regulator following a robbery or armed hold-up if
a death, serious injury or illness occurs. Section 48 of the WHS Act has details on what
incidents must be notified. Section 39 of the WHS Act includes requirements for leaving
evidence undisturbed. Further information is in the Incident notification fact sheet.
SUPPORT FOR WORKERS
The short and long term psychological effects of being confronted with violence can
be severe and debilitating. It is important not to judge or criticise a person’s behaviour
during a hold-up and not to trivialise the event or be unsympathetic.
Workers should be given the opportunity to receive follow-up post trauma counselling
and other suitable support. Consider providing in-house or external post-traumatic stress
counselling from psychiatrists or psychologists who are experienced in post trauma
debriefing and counselling.
Contact workers who take time off after an incident to check they are receiving suitable
medical and psychological help.
Consider offering workers the opportunity to return to work in another role or at another
site if they are too traumatised to resume their previous role.
Further information
Codes of practice, guidance material and other resources are available on the Safe Work
Australia website (www.swa.gov.au).
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APPENDIX A - HAZARD

IDENTIFICATION CHECKLIST
10
This checklist will help you address the hazards associated with handling and transporting cash to minimise
the risk, so far as is reasonably practicable, of incidents or injuries. You should involve your workers in filling
out the checklist.
If you tick NO on the checklist you should take action to make your workplace safer.
Date checklist completed:
Name of person who completed checklist:
Position Title:
Company / Workplace:
HANDLING CASH
Working with cash
YES
NO
Is there a safe process for counting, storing, handling and transferring cash?
Are registers cleared often to maintain a small amount of cash?
Are credit card and EFTPOS facilities offered to reduce the amount of cash taken?
Are all workers trained in cash handling procedures?
Are all workers trained in what to do in the event of a robbery or armed hold-up?
Working during high risk times and working alone
YES
NO
Are safe processes in place for opening and closing times (and working at night)?
Are rosters arranged so more than one person is working if possible?
Is public access to your business restricted if workers are working alone?
Are special safety procedures in place if workers are working alone?
Do workers always have a way of quickly and easily contacting management?
Are all workers trained in working alone procedures?
Systems
YES
NO
Do you have a surveillance or security system?
Do you have an electronic sensor system to alert workers to customers in the
premises?
Do workers have access to personal duress alarms or panic buttons?
Have you publicised the safety and security procedures and systems you have in place?
Design
YES
NO
Do you have bright internal and external lighting?
Do workers have a safe area they can retreat to if a robbery or other threat occurs?
Are counters and floor spaces designed to reduce the risk of physical violence?
Have other design issues been considered e.g. solid exterior doors, internal mirrors,
window bars or grills, secured rear access?
GUIDE FOR HANDLING AND TRANSPORTING CASH | JULY 2014

APPENDIX A - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION CHECKLIST
11
TRANSPORTING CASH
Procedures and training
YES
NO
Is banking done by more than one person and at different times?
Are safety procedures in place if workers are working alone?
Is the bank close to your premises?
Is the route varied?
Do workers have access to personal duress alarms?
Are all workers trained in the procedures to carry cash safely?
Are all workers trained in what to do during a robbery or armed hold-up?
Have you publicised the safety and security procedures and systems you have in place?
GUIDE FOR HANDLING AND TRANSPORTING CASH | JULY 2014

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