Unfortunately, these days we are all living in a time where we rarely feel safe, even at work. No matter what type of industry you work in, you are often facing risks and dangers. While some jobs are inevitably riskier than others – police, for example, expect to be put in dangerous situations – even those roles which were once considered to be safe, such as teachers, office workers and doctors, can be exposed to danger.
Of course, that is not to say that a major security situation is going to creep up on a regular basis, but it is important to be prepared just in case the worst should happen. One thing that has become clear through all of the crisis situations in recent years is that organizations with no clear emergency plan in place are in a vulnerable position when an unexpected event kicks in.While we all hope that we will never have to face any challenging situation in the workplace, we should all be ready for the eventuality. Drawing up an emergency plan is essential for the safety and security of everyone in the company, from top to bottom. Making sure that every member of staff is aware of that plan and knows what to do in the event of an emergency will go a long way towards protecting your entire organization
Awareness All Around
First, you need to recognize that a security emergency is a definite possibility. Once you have accepted the possibility, you need to become more aware and encourage your staff to be more aware of any suspicious or unusual behaviors. Train your employees to report anything out of the ordinary that they see and to challenge anybody who is behaving unusually.
Invest in Security
With the best will in the world, you cannot protect your company by hoping that nothing bad will happen. You need to be proactive in protecting your assets and keeping your premises secure. To that end, you should consider employing security guard staff to monitor and patrol your premises. Invest in some surveillance equipment and ensure that access to sensitive areas is restricted through the use of turnstiles and/or security doors and portals. Keep your security equipment maintained and fully serviced so that it remains operational at all times. These relatively simple measures can make an enormous difference to the security of your building, and deter any potential intruders from targeting your business.
Develop and Share Your Plan
Once you have security systems in place, it is time to develop your emergency plan. Deciding what your staff should do in the event of a security breach is just the first step, however. The next step is to make sure that the plan is shared with all your employees so that they are clear about exactly what measures to take should an alert be issued. You should also include a written action plan for emergency situations in your procedures manual and business policies.
Carry Out Drills
After the plan is in place and shared with the staff, it is important to try it out from time to time to make sure that it works and is appropriate for your company’s needs. Have a drill every six months at an absolute minimum, so that employees have enough practice so that they do not panic in the event of a real incident.
Do you want to find out more about how you can make your workplace a safer place? Contact an entry expert at Boon Edam today and discover an impressive range of security products for your business.
