Whether you work on a single floor or inside an entire industrial complex, safety and security is always a number 1 priority. But how safe is your office security? That’s what we’ll be answering this month, as Ibwest take a look at safety and security measures you can use to make your office a better place to do business.
Carpark CCTV and Lighting
Does your car park have good lighting and is it covered by CCTV? If the perimeter of your business is well lit, this alone will deter many types of crime, including burglary and vandalism. The lighting needs to be well maintained as even a single black spot can be used as an effective entry point. You can choose to mix real CCTV cameras with dummy cameras to save on cost, but ensure all entry points are covered by the real cameras.
Access Control
You should know who is in your building at all times. There are many ways to do this, including electronic locks that are controlled using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags that are assigned to each employee.
If this is impractical for you, consider the traditional methods of hiring a receptionist for the lobby, or a full time security guard – preferably both. These employees are accustomed to traditional sign-in methods to track guests’ in and out times. This will improve overall safety and provide an up-to-minute register should there be a fire-related emergency.ID Badges
Like RFID tags, ID badges with data chips are another line of security with the added benefit of having a photograph of each employee’s face to guarantee authenticity. They can be worn on a uniform using a clip, making them easy to access and difficult to lose. Also, consider providing visitors with their own badges, so any trespassers can be quickly distinguished from a genuine visitor.
Secure Personal Belongings
Leaving your keys, wallet and phone unsupervised on your desk is never a good idea. If you’re leaving personal items for a period of time, secure them in a drawer, locker, or anywhere that’s not in the open where opportunistic theft is all too common.
Label and Mark Office Equipment
Labelling your equipment can be done in a rudimentary way, with a permanent marker and an inventory list affixed to the wall, or you can go for a smarter solution. Smart Water and UV dot technology allows you to invisibly mark your equipment, so that the marking is unlikely to be removed and can be checked under a UV in the event of theft and recovery. It is also advisable to record the serial numbers of machinery such as laptops, printers and cash tills.
Operate a ‘No Solo’ Working Policy
It’s great if an employee wants to put in the extra hours to get their workload completed, but safety must always come first. Enforcing a ‘no solo’ work policy is becoming popular for businesses who care about the safety of employees and their work places. A single person working in a building late at night is a prime target for crime. Your building should be checked for employees and secured by a professional each night.
Ibwest Security have provided comprehensive security services to customers in Grimsby and Scunthorpe for over 35 years. We understand that security, whether in the home or commercial premises, is invaluable to your wellbeing, so our team provide a thorough and professional service tailored to you. We offer alarm response, building security, manned guards, key holding and much more. To find out more about our services, contact our friendly team today.