Ensuring Your Business Security Works for Everyone

The pandemic (remember that) brought with it many new approaches and realizations over and above the ‘wash your hands’ and ‘try not to sneeze on the person next to you’ variety, (to be fair, one would have thought that the aforementioned were pretty universally accepted ways to co-exist already, but you live and learn).

Here’s what else we got out of it:

1. While a few people are quite productive working from home, generally people thrive in an office environment, for various reasons.

2. Hybrid working models are a viable option, but they bring with them a slew of safety issues.

3. People value safety and security in their place of work, and it is often a factor in where they choose to pull up a desk, put up a photograph and have a water cooler chat.

At Marshall Security, we appreciate how vital workplace security is, for both the owner and the employee. Deadlines are a level of panic we can’t assist with, but everything else? Leave it up to us.

One thing we will say straight off the bat though is this – being prepared is one of the most fundamental building blocks when it comes to overall business safety. Indeed, we believe that a combination of cutting-edge technology and well-informed employees can make all the difference in emergency situations. So, let’s begin.

Workplace Safety Interventions

1.???? Robust Security Systems – including surveillance and access control.

Dear employers. Putting up a couple cameras won’t cut it, especially if they aren’t monitored or the visual isn’t recorded. The likelihood of someone Mission Impossible-ing their way into your building is low, but other forms of entry, as well as asset security and overall staff safety are worthy of a bit more investment. Let’s be honest a good security system and solid procedures help with insurance and liability as well. Employ these:

?? CCTV cameras, as a perimeter and internal measure. Technology now allows us to incorporate facial recognition, virtual line crossing and other proactive security measures.

? Access control. Incorporating gated/boomed access is imperative. If the situation calls for it, then badge access is also recommended (for both staff and visitors), but in the instances where we are dealing with malls and hotels, the former with security guards is appropriate.

? Physical guards. Physical human manpower is still encouraged. A friendly face for employees and visitors puts people at ease, while their on-the-ground activity (whether armed or unarmed as the situation requires) is an excellent and necessary deterrent.

2.???? Panic Buttons – Education and their use.

Panic buttons are not for home use only, they are a critical tool in the event of an emergency – whether medical or security based, in a work environment too. That said, employees must be educated on their location, and what warrants their activation.

?? Location. Ensure that all staff are familiar with where panic buttons are, and bear in mind that their locations are key. In addition, ensure that there are enough to make access easy, not an additional stressor.

? Mobile access. Some trusted staff members may be provided panic button access via their phones as well.

? Training. Regular training sessions on the use of panic buttons should be employed so that staff feel confident using them if an emergency situation should arise.

? Communication. Inform all employees on the process of a panic activation, and what happens next, (i.e. a call from the Marshall Security Control Centre, as well as automatic vehicle dispatch) so that they have a better understanding regarding how quickly help will arrive.

3.???? Emergency Contact Information – Display and share.

According to surveys 83% of employees will encounter at least 1 workplace emergency in their career, so quick access to emergency numbers and information can be life-saving.

? Ensure emergency numbers like those of Marshall Security or your security provider and medical emergency services are clearly displayed in public spaces like bathrooms, staff rooms, canteens and reception areas.

? Remind staff of the numbers and encourage them to save them into their phones for easy access.

? Include these relevant contact numbers in all safety training materials and workplace manuals.

4.???? Safety Drills and Protocol Updates.

As mentioned, preparation is key when dealing with an emergency. So often important information disappears from our brains when we are in the midst of a panic. But safety drills can help ensure appropriate and efficient reactions are second nature.

? There are different kinds of emergencies with appropriate protocol that must be engaged in these scenarios. Make sure your employees know what to do no matter whether they are dealing with a medical situation or a security breach and everything in between.

?? Ensure employees know the steps to take when faced with any threat.

? Protocol must be updated (in collaboration with Marshall Security or your security provider) and the information shared, regularly, in keeping with the latest security threats and industry best practices.

5.???? Promotion of a Culture of Safety Awareness.

Technology and emergency protocols are incredibly helpful but they can only take you so far. Beyond them situational awareness and a culture of caring are intrinsic. Essentially it is your people that protect each other and your business, here’s how it works best:

? Encourage staff members to report any suspicious behaviour or potential security risks immediately. If their spider senses are tingling, you want to know about it and they should feel comfortable (and not silly) for doing so.

? Make sure all employees know about exit routes, evacuation meeting points (necessary for staff counts and emergency assistance), and safe zones.

? A culture of caring means that keeping an eye out for your fellow human is encouraged. Staff must help the disabled and assist those that need it, as long as they do not become an additional risk in the situation themselves (for instance in the event of a fire). There will be team leaders for all emergency situations as well, so staff must be ready to calmly follow directives.

? Ensure staff regularly participate in security briefings and or updates on the latest safety practices.

6.???? Integrated Security and Medical Response Solutions.

At Marshall Security we say, call us, In Case of Anything, and we mean it. One of the unique advantages of our services is that we come with the integration of both security and collaborative medical response services. We are also able to assist, raising the emergency flag with all other necessary role players too.? This is what you get out of a Marshall Security partnership:

? Peace of mind. Security personnel and medical professionals work hand in hand to address the emergency quickly and effectively.

? Quick response times. A rapid co-ordinated response helps to mitigate the impact of an emergency.

? 24/7 Control room. Our control room is monitored 24/7 to ensure emergency support is dispatched as soon as an alarm or panic button is triggered. We’ve got you.

When it comes to workplace security there are a lot of moving parts and people, including both employees and visitors, however with our care and help, and with well-prepared staff, you can rest assured that actions and reactions will be rapid and effective in any emergency.

Let’s create a safer environment for everyone, so call us for more information and In Case of Anything.