Why you should invest in employee security systems

Large companies oftentimes have an entire department for employee security. But in smaller companies, this responsibility often falls to the EHS team. After all, there’s a direct correlation between security and employee safety.

But in my experience, this area of workplace safety is often overlooked though not intentionally. Below are a few of the common mistakes I’ve seen companies make from a security perspective.

Limiting public access to the site

First, all facilities and sites should be completely secure from the public in regard to general site access. Companies should not freely allow access to the confines of their facilities, which compromises the safety of their employees.

If you operate a facility, you should partner with a professional security provider to require badges or similar access systems. It’s important to remember that you can’t just lock exterior doors which provide egress to the facility in emergency situations.

Instead, find a system that allows unobstructed exits during an emergency while keeping unwanted guests out.

Securing the exterior

It’s relatively common for companies to keep exterior doors and gates unsecure throughout the day. And that’s because an automated gate system can be expensive to install and maintain.

But I would recommend against this if at all possible. I’ve seen several companies have very expensive materials and equipment stolen during normal business hours. Keeping the exterior of the building secure throughout the day can make it a less viable target for potential thieves.

Installing security systems

It might seem obvious that cameras and alarm systems are a very important aspect of employee security. But you’d be surprised by the number of companies that either don’t have these systems in place or don’t properly maintain them.

Your employees may be resistant to filming during work hours. However, you should explain the benefits of these systems for:

• Protecting workers from outside threats
• Investigating safety incidents
• Making improvements to the facility

After all, video doesn’t lie. It only tells the story of what’s actually occurred.

Investing in these safety measures is essential if you want to provide full protection to your employees. If you face some sort of pushback from upper management, I’d recommend that you highlight the multiple applications of these systems.

I’ve encountered several security events during my career. From transient people entering the site to sleep to major thefts of expensive capital assets, there are a whole lot of reasons to improve your employee security approach. And I can say with certainty that you won’t regret the investment when something like this happens to your staff.